Formed in 2016 in response to proposals for an international nuclear waste dump in South Australia, we build community power to protect country, culture and future generations.
The No Dump Alliance was formed with Yami Lester as its Ambassador and his daughters Karina and Rose Lester as key spokespeople. Other spokepeople have included: Tauto Sansbury, Narungga man and activist; Jamie Newlyn, Maritime Union Australia (MUA) – SA branch; and Craig Wilkins, Conservation SA.
‒ In 2016, the SA government abandoned the plan to import vast amounts of international high-level nuclear waste.
‒ In 2019, the federal government abandoned plans for a national nuclear waste dump in the SA’s Flinders Ranges.
‒ In 2023, the federal government abandoned plans for a national nuclear waste dump at Kimba in SA.
As of April 2026, we are awaiting long-overdue government announcements about the management of Australia’s nuclear waste (most of it stored at ANSTO’s nuclear site south of Sydney) and the future management of waste from the AUKUS nuclear submarine project.
Most of Australia’s radioactive waste is currently stored where it is produced, at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)’s nuclear facility at Lucas Heights south of Sydney. ANSTO itself has acknowledged that it can manage this waste on-site for decades, and the viability of this option was confirmed by the 2021 Public Works Committee inquiry of the Federal Parliament.
Yami Lester was a Yankunytjatjara Elder, atomic test survivor, Aboriginal rights activist, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Mr Lester told his story to highlight the dangers of the nuclear industry, and his voice and support were key to the formation and successful work of the No Dump Alliance.
July 2017 saw the passing of Yami. We have lost a truly remarkable person and the Alliance deeply misses his warmth, leadership and strength.
“In 1953, I was just ten years old when the bombs went off at Emu and Maralinga, I didn’t know anything about nuclear issues back then, none of us knew what was happening. I got sick, and went blind from the Totem 1 fallout from those tests.
Now I’m 74 years old and I know about nuclear issues. Members from the APY, Maralinga-Tjarutja and Arabunna, Kokatha lands say we don’t want nuclear waste on our land.
It means a lot to me to be in this Alliance. I would like others to listen and join, become a member and fight together.”
Narungga Elder Tauto Sansbury was key to the formation and development of the No Dump Alliance. Tauto’s passion to protect South Australia from the threat of high-level nuclear waste was crystal clear as he spoke at public events, through the media and in the community.
Tauto worked tirelessly as an advocate for human rights across many levels. His activism, encouragement and energy to make change will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Tauto’s valuable contributions and vision will always be held close to the heart of the Alliance in our work to amplify the voices and concerns of Aboriginal people when facing nuclear waste dumps.
Our work would not have been possible without the support, collaboration, and network-building of the many groups and partners we have worked alongside.
