Fed: Defence spokeswoman denies Puckapunyal nuclear dump report

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2004
Fed: Defence spokeswoman denies Puckapunyal nuclear dump report

(EDS: possible locations for dump revised on updated information.)



MELBOURNE, Aug 24 AAP - Federal frontbencher Fran Bailey has dismissed as ludicrous
a proposal to build a nuclear waste dump at the Puckapunyal army barracks in central Victoria.

Ms Bailey, the Minister Assisting the Defence Minister, described as "not at all accurate"

ABC radio reports that two Victorian sites - Puckapunyal, and Bandiana in the state's
north east, and a third at Mulwala, on the Murray River in southern New South Wales -
were under consideration.

Last month, the federal government was forced to abandon plans to build a nuclear waste
repository near Woomera in South Australia due to an adverse Federal Court ruling and
strong opposition from the SA government.

Ms Bailey, whose seat of McEwen includes the Puckapunyal base, said today it would
be highly irresponsible to locate a nuclear waste dump at the army base.

"When I first heard of this I thought it was like something out of a script from Monty
Python," she said.

The base was a major training area that housed about 2,000 people, including families.

"... Anyone who could consider putting any sort of nuclear waste dump on a military
training base where the major training exercises involve armour and artillery ... and
a base which houses up to 2,000 people at any one time, and that includes hundreds of
families, you would have to say that is ludicrous," she said.

Nine news last night said Science Minister Peter McGauran had confirmed all three sites
were under consideration, but said the government was still a long way from a final decision.

Ms Bailey denied there was any shortlist.

"I've never heard of any such list existing until there was a report on the news last
night," she said.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said his government would fight any plan for a nuclear
waste dump in that state.

"I wasn't aware of it. Obviously the federal government had such a list and certainly
we're concerned about that," Mr Bracks told radio 3AW.

"There's no reason why there should be (a dump in Victoria).

"We are not a great contributor to any of the nuclear waste which occurs, and I don't
think Victoria should be unduly punished to have such a facility in our state."

AAP jrd/gfr/it/sd

KEYWORD: DUMP DAYLEAD

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