The Australian Greens today introduced legislation to repeal the Howard Government's Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005.

"When it was introduced, the ALP described this legislation as, 'extreme, arrogant, heavy-handed, draconian, sorry, sordid, extraordinary and profoundly shameful. We agree," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

"At the election that saw them into Government, the ALP supported repealing the legislation - it is time that they acted on that promise."

"The Greens will be pushing to protect the Northern Territory and particularly communities around Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek, which may well get a nuclear waste dump unless this law is repealed."

"Repealing this Act is an opportunity for Australia to rethink how nuclear waste is generated and contained."

"Radioactive waste is uniquely hazardous to human health and the environment, and will persist for thousands of human generations to come. Decision-making about radioactive materials should not be politically motivated, but based on scientific facts and with the interests of current and particularly future generations firmly in mind."

"I would like to know what community consultation has been going on in the last 10 months. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research answered Greens' questions yesterday with a very clear message of ALP policy.

"Last night Senator Carr said: "The government has yet to finalise its own legislation" - what is this legislation, who is being consulted over it, and what will it accomplish?"

"Rather than leaving Territory communities in the dark, this act must be repealed now so that we can move forward with some transparency."

"The Rudd Government started this year with Sorry - let's hope that by the time they finish, they don't have something more to say sorry about," he concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418 401 180