Australia’s tax advisor advises in the interests of BHP Billiton
Former BHP chair renews carbon tax criticism – ABC Newcastle NSW – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 5 Sept 11, The former chairman of BHP Billiton, Don Argus, has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax, saying it is not in the nation’s best interest..
…Mr Argus also questioned planned investment in renewable energy ……He says the Government should hold off on the [carbon] tax due to the current global financial uncertainty…..
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Mr Argus says he is bemused that carbon capture storage has
been excluded from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation that was recently announced, as he thinks it will be a very worthwhile technology…..Mr Argus also warned the state and federal governments on the current debate over mining royalties.
Former BHP chair renews carbon tax criticism – ABC Newcastle NSW – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Call to stop transport of radioactive rare earths through Fremantle
Carles moves to ban rare earth ores in Freo – The West Australian, 5 Sept 11,Fremantle MP Adele Carles has called for the transportation of rare earth ores through Fremantle to be halted immediately because she is concerned about potential radioactivity.In a position that puts her at odds with her partner, Transport Minister Troy Buswell, and the State Government, the independent MP has claimed the rare earths, which are mined by Lynas Corporation at Mt Weld near Laverton, could be a hazard to public health and safety…..
The term “rare earths” refers to a range of metallic elements that are used in a range of modern products including high-powered magnets for wind turbines, electric hybrid vehicles, computer hard discs, smartphones and flat panel displays.
The ore contains thorium and uranium oxides, albeit at levels regulators say do not pose a radiation risk…..
Ms Carles said she was concerned Lynas’ proposal “looks like the Magellan experiment all over again”, referring to the problems Magellan Metals has had in complying with its environmental management plan to export lead carbonate through Fremantle……
Ms Carles yesterday hosted protestors from Malaysia, who are opposed to Lynas building a processing plant in Kuantan, the capital of Malaysia’s Pahang state. The protestors are concerned that the strategically important plant – the only rare earths processing facility outside China – could leave the area a toxic site…..Carles moves to ban rare earth ores in Freo – The West Australian
Uranium mining a health disaster for America’s indigenous people
Navajo woman helps prompt uranium mine cleanup, Houston Chronicle, FELICIA FONSECA, Associated PressUpdated , September 5, 2011, MONUMENT VALLEY, Utah (AP) “……….The cleanup at the Skyline Mine represents not only a reduced risk of exposure for Begay and her family, but marks the first significant remediation of a mine on the country’s largest American Indian reservation where such sites number in the hundreds.
Tests have found gamma radiation activity greater than two times the background level at 80 locations on the site. In the traditional Navajo home where Begay once lived with two of her sons, the radiation levels were up to 100 times the acceptable level. The two sons have died — one of lung cancer and the other from a tumor. TheEPA tore down the home in 2001.
“What we’ve been asking for is not fallacy,” said Stephen Etsitty, executive director of the tribe’s EPA. “It’s not stuff we’re making up. There are real problems out there that need to be addressed.”……
Many Navajos, unaware of the dangers of contamination, built their homes with chunks of uranium ore and mill tailings, which is the residue from ore preparation. Begay hand-washed clothing that carried uranium dust. By the late 1970s when the mines began closing, some miners were dying of lung cancer, emphysema or other radiation-related ailments.
Begay moved below Oljato Mesa in 1978, years after production ceased at Skyline Mine. She recently had throat surgery due to thyroid cancer……
“You’re going to see more people come to understand uranium’s pervasiveness,” Etsitty said. “We’re going to do everything we can to take care of manmade activities. We’re going to have to go back to some of the teachings, advice from long ago, which is ‘leave it alone.'” Navajo woman helps prompt uranium mine cleanup – Houston Chronicle
USA ramps up its military machine in Australia
Defence set to give US greater military access Brendan Nicholson, Defence Editor The Australian * September 06, 2011 TEAMS of US and Australian officials are finalising a series of agreements, to be signed at this month’s AUSMIN summit, that will give US forces greater access to Australian military bases.
Shared facilities are expected to include HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia, an army base in Townsville as the primary location for operations, the port of Darwin and the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory.
The agreements, a key focus of this year’s talks on defence and foreign affairs issues in San Francisco, will mean the Americans will not just be offered space on a base, they will be there with what Defence calls “full knowledge and concurrence” with full access to intelligence and maintenance facilities…..
The agreement will be similar to that covering the joint intelligence-gathering facilities such as Pine Gap.
Defence set to give US greater military access | The Australian
Queensland’s solar tariff helps create $3.5 billion in new investment
Queensland’s tariff, which pays 45c per kWh, had helped thousands to access clean power…“[Queensland will avoid] going down the path of other states in collapsing their schemes and causing such dislocation amongst a somewhat new and still vulnerable part of the economy.”….Current policies to promote renewable energy in Queensland would create $3.5 billion in new investment and 3500 new jobs.
Solar cuts are ‘foolish’: Roberston – Narooma News, GRAHAM READFEARN, 06 Sep, 2011 Queensland Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has accused other state governments of being “foolish and shortsighted” for cutting payments to promote solar energy.Mr Robertson told the Ecogen renewable energy conference in Brisbane yesterday that recent decisions in Victoria and New South Wales to cut back payments for homeowners with solar power would damage the industry. Continue reading
Barclays Bank backing renewable energy farm schemes
Barclays launches fund on back of farmers investing in renewable energy, Green energy news – by Sarah Johnson, 5th September 2011, New research has revealed a surge in farmers expected to invest in green energy this year to cut energy bills and generate greater incomes and returns on investments.The research by Barclays Bank shows 37 per cent of the UK’s 200,000 farmers are expected to invest in renewable energy this year.
The bank has launched a £100 million fund to encourage farmers to embrace renewable energy schemes. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 