The Federal Resources Minister says there is no doubt the right traditional owners were consulted over the prospect of their land being used to host a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory.
The Federal Government has chosen Muckaty Station, north of Tennant Creek, as the preferred site for the dump after an agreement was reached with the Ngapa clan.
But other traditional owners have told a Senate inquiry in Darwin at least five clans are linked to the land and have not been consulted.
Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says the rightful owners have been approached.
“If there is any disputation to the land council’s decision-making process, let it go to court,” he said.
“But I say this, no one is disputing that the land in question is owned by the Ngapa people.”
Meanwhile, NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson told the inquiry the Territory had been unfairly singled out to house the dump.
Mr Henderson says the Commonwealth has the power to force the dump on the Territory and is doing so to minimise any legal challenge.
The Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy, has also told the inquiry the proposed dump is causing confusion and division in his electorate.