Response to the report
The government notes the recommendations. Given the passage of time since this report was tabled, the government provides the following update:
- On 22 June 2021, the National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020 was passed.
- On 18 July 2023, the Federal Court set aside the former minister’s declaration of Napandee as the proposed site for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (the facility) on the grounds of apprehended bias.
- On 10 August 2023, the Minister for Resources stated that the government did not intend to appeal the Federal Court’s decision, nor pursue Napandee or the previously shortlisted Lyndhurst and Wallerberdina sites as a potential site for the facility.
- On 28 August 2025, the land of the former site at Napandee sold at auction.
- The government remains firmly committed to the safe management and disposal of Commonwealth radioactive waste.
- Work is being undertaken to assess options for the management and disposal of the Commonwealth’s low-level and intermediate-level waste.
- A process and timeframes for establishing radioactive waste disposal pathways and associated siting will be determined once the government has considered options and made decisions in due course.