Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I am familiar with the proposal at Leonora. I have met the nominees of that site as well as the local mayor recently to discuss that proposal. I would point out first that the sites that have been progressed at Kimba and Hawker do meet the requirements that the government needs for the facility. The fact that sites are inhospitable is not a necessary condition for a facility. Indeed, much of Australia's radioactive waste currently is stored perfectly safely 30 kilometres from Sydney, at Lucas Heights—a site where 400 people go to work every day. We do however need to find a permanent, long-term store, because we are running out of space at Lucas Heights.

The proposal at Leonora has not been rejected by the government. We have indicated to the nominees that we will be seeking the results of Kimba and Hawker first before deciding further. If we do not progress with Kimba and Hawker, we may again consider Leonora, but we are not progressing that any further at this stage. (Time expired)