Nuclear energy not economic for Australia, says Gillard
“The Labor Party has got a very clear policy here and it’s a really long standing policy of opposition to nuclear power,” she told 3AW……Ms Gillard said that in Australia “nuclear power doesn’t stack up as an economically efficient source of power”….We are very focused on our record investment in solar and renewable technologies. We’ve got abundant energy from those sources.”
Julia Gillard plays down nuclear power push Joe Kelly and Lauren Wilson The Australian * December 01, 2010 JULIA Gillard has played down a push by senior Labor MPs for an inquiry into nuclear power, saying it’s not an economically efficient source of energy.
The divisive issue is set to be discussed at the next ALP national conference at the end of 2011…
The Greens deputy leader Christine Milne said an internal Labor-party debate about nuclear power would simply delay action on climate chance.
“It is not the technology of the moment, renewables is the technology of the moment and it would be a backwards step for the government to now reconsider nuclear,” Senator Milne said.
“Nuclear is too slow, too expensive and too dangerous.”
Senator Milne pointed to the increasingly tense situation on the Korean peninsula and said it would be a mistake for the government to support a technology which risks proliferation.
The Prime Minister said today that she welcomed the debate on nuclear power, but warned that those arguing for its consideration in Australia’s future energy mix faced a “tough argument”.
“The Labor Party has got a very clear policy here and it’s a really long standing policy of opposition to nuclear power,” she told 3AW……Ms Gillard said that in Australia “nuclear power doesn’t stack up as an economically efficient source of power”….
“We’ve got abundant sources of renewable energy. We are very focused on our record investment in solar and renewable technologies. We’ve got abundant energy from those sources.”
Ms Gillard was responding to a push by a number of Labor MPs, including Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Senators Mark Bishop and Steve Hutchins, for Australia to embrace nuclear power……………
Greens Leader Bob Brown said today the use of nuclear power would be expensive, dangerous, unnecessary and challenged its proponents to say where reactors would be built.
Senator Brown said “the spectre of nuclear power” was being raised by the “Murdoch-promoted right in Australia” but stressed the cheapest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was to end the “destruction of Australia’s forests and woodlands”.
“From Tasmania to the Tiwi Islands, industrial logging of native forests and woodlands causes a massive release of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. It is a huge drag on taxpayers’ pockets and the single biggest threat to the extinction of plant and animal species,” he said.
“Baseload solar and geothermal power are Australia’s best generator options.”
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1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 
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