Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy on 23 July 2008:

(1) When is the government intending to repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005, a commitment made in Chapter 5 of the ALP National Platform 2007?

(2) Will the Department of Defence sites being assessed under the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 be repealed in accordance with the ALP National Platform to, “not proceed with the development of any of the current sites identified by the Howard Government in the Northern Territory, if no contracts have been entered into for those sites?”

(3) Will the Minister confirm that on repeal of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005, the Muckaty site also no longer has legal status and will therefore be repealed in accordance with the April 2008 resolution of the Northern Territory Labor Party Conference?

(4) Did the Minister meet on 16 July with Northern Land Council representatives and/or Traditional Owners of Muckaty Station.?

(5) If so, what were the matters under discussion?

(6)  Is the Minister undertaking negotiation or discussions on “transitional arrangements” regarding the Muckaty site?

(7) If yes, what was the nature of the negotiations or discussions?

(8) On repeal of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005, given that the Northern Territory legislation prohibiting Commonwealth nuclear waste facilities will come back into legal effect, will the new ALP Commonwealth government respect the right and jurisdiction of the NT government?