Australia Resistance to a plan for an international nuclear waste repository in the Western Australian desert appears to be hardening. The Western Australian Senate has unanimously passed a motion opposing the proposal by the company Pangea, which is 70% owned by British Nuclear Fuels.

Pangea director Marcis Kurzeme has said the company will drop the idea of a repository if it fails to win over public opinion within two years.

“Pangea is hoping that if it persists, the opposition to its proposal will diminish,” said Democrat Senator Lyn Allison. “This is the strongest signal to date that Pangea is not welcome in Australia.”