Australia’s monopoly media and the climate denialists’ campaign
The last few weeks have shown both the frenzy of the anti carbon tax campaign in Australia, and the fall in credibility of the Murdoch media worldwide. It remains to be seen whether or not Murdoch’s media supremacy will continue in Australia.
That’s a pretty important question, as the Murdochracy has joined forces with the polluting industries to give these industries such power in Australia – even to the extent of getting rid of a Prime Minister. Now their push is on to stop Australia acting on Climate Change, and to get rid of another Prime Minister.
In all this, where is the nuclear connection? Well, the nuclear lobby is being tactfully silent on its claim to be the cure for global warming, seeing that its polluting friends don’t believe in global warming. But the coal and nuclear industries are quite well connected.
Take Gina Rinehart for example. Australia’s wealthiest person, Gina is an implacable foe of Australia’s planned carbon tax, and a finacial supporter of climate denialists like Lord Monckton and Ian Plimer. She refers with admiration to her late father, Lang Hancock. There was a wealthy man who ruthlessly pursued profit, as for example in the asbestos industry. On refusing to put in for a collection for mesothelioma victim, Christine Vos, Lang Hancock remarked that “Someone has to pay the price of progress”
Hancock’s enthusisasm for mining in the Pilabara led him to invite Edward Teller (the ‘father of the atomic bomb’) over from the USA. , planning to use atomic bombs to facilitate mining. I’m not sure what stopped them, possibly government, – certainly not any reservations they had themselves. Teller is reported as saying that a dose of strontium is good for you.
Australia seems to confuse the ideas of wealthiness with intelligence, with an inordinate respect for rich people. . Gina Rinehart has bought into the notion that government action for the general good, ( as in the carbon tax), is an attack on “freedom” Hence her uncritical support for Lord Monckton, with his theory on the global climate change conspiracy. Monckton’s theory implies that many thousands of scientists, world-wide, have been taken in by a sinister plot of someone, (who?) wanting to rule the world.
With the Murdoch media support for Gina Rinehart type thinking, Australia’s public is being led by the nose into anti-science thinking. It is very timely that voices like that of Independent Australia are now calling for a change in Australia’s media monopoly
Poor uranium market puts Olympic Dam uranium mining future in doubt
BHP likely to stall Olympic Dam plans: report, Business Spectator, 28 Jul 2011 Analysts are predicting that BHP Billiton Ltd will delay uranium production at the Olympic Dam mine expansion in South Australia as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan and ensuing uncertainty about the future of nuclear energy, according to The Australian.
Olympic Dam, home to the world’s largest known uranium deposit, is scheduled to be expanded beginning next year as part of a $US20 billion-plus ($A18.4 billion) expansion that is subject to company and government approval.
However, plans to boost uranium production by a third from current levels may be halted as uranium demand continues to weaken in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster…..http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/BHP-likely-to-stall-Olympic-Dam-plans-report-pd20110727-K6QRR?OpenDocument&src=hp9
Crash in uranium company’s share price, as tailings problem stops mining
Shares drop as watchdog calls tailings halt at First Uranium,
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2011/07/27 The regulator ordered the company’s subsidiary, Mine Waste Solutions, to cease all pumping, citing problems with pipeline maintenance and nonreporting. A mine may not continue with production if it has no place to deposit tailings. The regulator is charged with protecting people, property and the environment from nuclear damage caused by uranium.
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FIRST Uranium’s share price fell almost 20% to an intraday low of R3,60 yesterday after the National Nuclear Regulator ordered it to stop pumping material on to its waste dumps.
Radon, a known cause of lung cancer, is formed through the radioactive decay of uranium in mine water……http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=149265
Atomic veterans take their case to UK Supreme Court
Chronic health problems cited by them include cancers, skin defects, fertility problems and birth defects in their children…..In 1998, research from Durham University suggested that one-in-three servicemen died from bone cancers or leukaemia linked to the atomic and hydrogen bomb tests ….”Britain’s nuclear veterans are dying at a rate of around three every month but those who remain say they are determined to continue this battle.”
Nuclear test veterans set for Supreme Court appeal bid, BBC News 28 July 11,Veterans involved in Britain’s nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s are taking their case for compensation to the Supreme Court. More than 1,000 ex-servicemen say exposure to radiation during tests conducted between 1952 and 1958 left them with ill-health. Continue reading
More gloom in uranium market
Uranium Remains Under Pressure, STOCK MARKET NEWS AUSTRALIA, 27 July 11 A big enough sell order hit the spot uranium market last week to see prices dropped to ensure completed trades. http://www.marketstock.com.au/?p=40454
High radiation exposure to Fukushima workers
Fukushima workers to be exposed to high radiation, 774 ABC Radio Melbourne, Mark Willacy, 28 JULY 11, The Japanese government has estimated 1,600 nuclear workers will be exposed to high levels of radiation while battling to stabilise the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The estimate is contained in a newly released Japanese government document, which includes concerns about the safety of dozens of other nuclear reactors.
It warned that with so many nuclear workers at Fukushima exposed to such high doses of radiation, they may not be able to work at other plants in the coming months.
The government has raised the radiation exposure limit so workers can remain at the Fukushima site. It says the workers will be subject to more than 50 millisieverts of radiation, which is defined as a high level. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-28/fukushima-nuclear-workers-radiation/2813460/?site=melbourne
A Western Australian Walkout from Uranium Mining
We will demonstrate that we have the choice to walk away from this costly, toxic industry — which produces radioactive waste and weapons usable material — in favour of renewable energy options.
Walk away from uranium mining, Green Left, By Kerrie-Ann Garlick, Perth, July 23, 2011, Footprints for Peace, an international grassroots group that organises walks, bike rides and runs around the world, invites families and people of all ages, background and cultures to come and support traditional owners in their opposition to uranium mining in Western Australia by taking part in the “Walk away from uranium mining” that begins in Wiluna on August 19 and finishes in Perth on October 28. Continue reading
South Australia’s bright future for renewable energy jobs
Renewable Energy Jobs For South Australia, Renewable Energy News, by Energy Matters, 26 July 11 A visit by the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet and South Australian Premier Mike Rann to a wind turbine tower manufacturing plant in suburban Adelaide has highlighted the economic benefits from growth in renewable energy in the state.
Mr Combet said the recently announced new Clean Energy Finance Corporation will play a vital role in unlocking significant new private investment into clean energy projects and may include assistance for businesses manufacturing components for clean energy projects…..
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 