Australian Labor Party strongly opposes nuclear power
Labor ‘not split on nuclear’. ABC News, July 13, 2011 , A South Australian Federal Minister says the Labor Party is strongly opposed to nuclear energy in Australia despite the pro-nuclear stance of some of its members.
In March, the state’s former Deputy Premier Kevin Foley backed a suggestion by Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis that uranium be enriched in Australia.
But Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, says advocates of nuclear energy within the party should consider whether they would like to live near a reactor.
“I would ask that of anyone who floats nuclear energy, whether they’re members of the South Australian Labor Party or the South Australian Liberal Party,” he said. “The national platform is crystal clear. We do not support nuclear energy as an option for Australia.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-13/labor-nuclear/2793474
Remembering the atomic test victims of Emu Field and Maralinga
EXCURSION TO THE NUCLEAR WASTELANDS OF EMU FIELD AND MARALINGA, REMEMBRANCE DAY – FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER, 2011 . Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 13 July 11, (from “Atomic Fallout”, Vol 4, No. 11, June/July 2011, pp 14: 15, the organ of the Atomic Ex-Servicemen’s Association A.C.T. Inc.}
“The traditional Aboriginal Owners of the Maralinga Lands, South Australia, have given permission to allow former atomic test participants and their friends to visit the regions and to hold a Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday 11 November, 2011, to commemorate the nuclear disasters and service in memory of the event. Continue reading
ERA uranium miner’s share loss, new project now unlikely
Like the rest of the uranium producers and explorers, ERA’s sharemarket rating has been hit by the fallout for uranium demand expectations from the Fukushima nuclear-power meltdown in March……..Analysts believe that ERA is unlikely to commit to the heap-leach project while Ranger continues to struggle with water-handling issues. The mine is surrounded by Kakadu National Park.
Rio Tinto on fire despite drenched Ranger, Sydney Morning Herald, Barry Fitzgerald, July 14, 2011“…….Water-handling issues at ERA’s Ranger mine in the Northern Territory have savaged the operation’s production levels. In the June half, production collapsed by 65 per cent to 601 tonnes of the radioactive material….
ERA is still a fraction of the company it was in October last year when it shares were selling at $14.78. The value hit stands at more than $2 billion, most of which is worn by Rio as ERA’s 68 per cent shareholder. Continue reading
Japan’s PM up against powerful pro nuclear clique
” Kan told reporters yesterday. “We should reduce nuclear dependency in a planned, step-by-step manner and eventually we can do without atomic energy.”
“Japan’s nuclear village is worried and they’re extremely well connected,” Kingston, head ofTemple University’s Asian Studies program at its Tokyo campus, said in a phone interview. “They’re out to get Kan and it’s not because he’s that incompetent. What worries them is that he’s been making provocative statements that trample on very powerful toes.”….“All these things hit at the heart of the nuclear village and they’re not going down without a fight,” said Kingston,
Kan Takes on Japan’s ‘Nuclear Village’ in Renewable Energy Drive, Bloomberg, By Stuart Biggs and Kanoko Matsuyama – Jul 14, 2011 Toshinobu Hatsui’s protest against construction of a nuclear power plant split friends and families in his hometown. After the biggest atomic accident in 25 years, resentment has turned to gratitude. “Those of us who opposed the plant can finally be proud of what we did,” said Hatsui, a 62-year-old fisherman, Continue reading
Radiation danger in unnecessary CT scans
Warning to avoid needless CT scans, Canberra Times, BY HENRIETTA COOK, 13 Jul, 2011 , A growing number of Australians are receiving unnecessary computerised tomography scans at hospitals and clinics.
Last year there was a 40 per cent increase in the number of diagnostic radiation incidents reported to government authorities, with unnecessary and unplanned CT scans making up the bulk of cases. Sixty diagnostic radiology incidents were reported to the Australian Radiation Incident Register in 2010, up from 43 in 2009. There were 29 incidents where patients were given unnecessary or unplanned CT scans and six reported occasions where patients received CT scans and later found out they were pregnant…..
”CT scans are 100 times more powerful than a conventional X-ray. You have to try and avoid that sort of radiation unless absolutely necessary.”
Dr Deb said many doctors were ordering patients to have CT scans when their conditions could easily be diagnosed with conventional X-ray machines, which emit much lower doses of radiation……http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/warning-to-avoid-needless-ct-scans/2224657.aspx
Australia has more international credibility with new carbon tax plan
”Until now, we have always been on the back foot in these type of negotiations, because we turn up and say we’ve done nothing and we expect other countries to do something.”
Australia will have renewed authority in next global talks, Sydney Morning Herald, Ben Cubby,July 13, The carbon price plan is likely to have more of an impact in global climate negotiations than Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, international law experts believe. Continue reading
South Australia will gradually transition to renewable energy
Clean Energy Council director of strategy Kane Thornton said large-scale solar-thermal power, wind power and bioenergy would become cost-competitive once the cost of fossil fuel electricity generation increased. In the more distant future, geothermal and wave energy were also contenders…..
the $23 a tonne price on carbon was unlikely to tip the balance toward nuclear energy in Australia. “Plus, it is illegal to build nuclear power stations in Australia and, with developments in Japan, it’s unlikely to be popular.”.
Alternative power to the people, Adelaide Now, Sarah Martin , July 14, 2011, THE proposed carbon tax has turned the spotlight on alternative energy sources needed to fill the void. As regional South Australia digested news this week that the Government’s proposed carbon tax would likely close Port Augusta’s Playford B power station, a small Adelaide company was testing its flagship geothermal project in the State’s north…..
EnergyQuest director Graeme Bethune said the most likely outcome for Playford would be for the power station to be converted to gas. “I would be surprised if the closure of that and replacement with gas had a material impact on energy prices (in South Australia),” he said. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 