August 04, 2005 THE Federal Government has taken control over the future of the Northern Territory's rich uranium deposits, declaring the Territory open for business on uranium.
The NT Labor government had promised to ban new uranium mines, despite fierce opposition from the Federal Government.
But the Federal Government sought legal advice, and today said it had taken over responsibility for the development of new mines, following a meeting between the Federal and NT resources minister in Darwin.
"This morning in our meeting with the NT resources minister it was made clear by the Territory government that they were abdicating their part of decision-making on uranium mining," Federal Resources Minister Ian MacFarlane said.
"On that basis, and under the NT Mining Act and the NT Mining Management Act, the Commonwealth will assume responsibility for the approval of uranium mines."
"None of those approvals will be considered before they have the full support of the indigenous owners of the area where the mine is proposed."
Mr Macfarlane said the Federal Government was taking control "for the good of the Territory" and resources industry.
"We can't allow this confusion to continue," he said.
"This no-uranium policy is a nonsensical policy."
"The Northern Territory is open for business on uranium mining."
"We were reticent to go down this road, even as late as this morning I was asking the Territory Government to co-operate.
"But if they're not prepared to do that, the Commonwealth will act to accept that responsibility."
About a dozen companies were currently exploring for uranium in the resource-rich territory, which is home to some $12 billion worth of known uranium deposits, he said.
Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) is currently mining at Ranger, which is surrounded by Kakadu National Park.
French nuclear power company Cogema is currently lobbying traditional owners in a bid to mine its multi-million dollar, 14,000-tonne Koongarra deposit in Kakadu National Park.
Mr Macfarlane said he shared the NT government's unease about the Koongarra deposit, but would consider all applications.
