A brief rundown on anti nuclear movement against uranium to India, and BHP’s new uranium mine
When one shareholder stated that he had no sympathy for the claims of the Aboriginal custodians in the room because “they are a conquered race,” the Chairman moved on due to time constrains, rather than commenting on the inappropriateness of the remark.
The 2011 alternative shareholder report, “The Dirty Energy Report” was also launched, and distributed to shareholders
The ALP National Conference started today and runs until Sunday (Darling Harbour, Sydney). Over the last few weeks activists from around the country have been lobbying on the question of uranium sales to India, who is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Guillard has stated publicly that Labours policy of not selling uranium to India will be reassessed at the Conference – a statement made shortly after CHOGM.
A briefing paper for delegates has been drawn up for distribution at the conference (attached). https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment?ui=2&ik=89ffab0dfb&view=att&th=133fd88397541553&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gvosqovu0&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8OhbnQ-7zUkqdP28HaekzG&sadet=1322880322723&sads=fkZG5AtzKZFUTQN-f554YOxHLh8
ICAN have received legal advice that if Australia sold uranium to India it would be breaching its obligations under international law – in particular its obligations under the Treaty of Rarotonga, which established a nuclear weapon free zone in the South Pacific.
The parliamentary left caucus is united on maintaining the ban on uranium sales to India, however they are slightly outnumbered and probably need the support of around 5 per cent of the right.
Throughout the conference period, Mori Gallery will be hosting “Manuwangku-Under the Nuclear Cloud“, a photo exhibition by Jagath Dheerasekera.This exhibition presents the country and community in the NT being targeted to host a national radioactive waste dump. It has been listed as part of the official Fringe program for the Australian Labor Party conference. The official launch will be in January.
On November 17 BHP Billiton held its Australian AGM. A rally was held in Adelaide to coincide with the London AGM on October 20th (BHP have two AGM’s each year), and the public meeting held a week or so before. As well as raising awareness about the Olympic Dam expansion, these events in Adelaide were planned as a lead up to the Australian AGM. In Melbourne, a public meeting was held the night before, with traditional custodians from around the country and a guest from Chile representing Chiles grassroots student organisation.
On the day there was a rally outside the AGM, complete with the giant inflatable barrel. Approximately 20 people (Aboriginal custodians from around the country affected by BHP’s operations, and representatives of various NGO’s) held shareholder proxies. This allowed us to go inside in place of the shareholder and ask questions. Various questions were asked, covering issues from radiation exposure, the GAB and the lack of consultation with Aboriginal communities. Although Kloppers retained his cool, leading some to question if this pasty human may indeed be a robot, the Chairman began to lose his cool towards the end, no longer even attempting to answer peoples questions. Many of us were shut down, and Kevin Buzacott (along with the shareholders in the room) was blatantly misinformed. In answer to his question regarding the pastoral leases that will be affected by the freehold clause, the Chairmans reply was that he believed that BHP already owned them. This is impossible as the right to freehold for the expanded mining lease was at that time in Bill form (in the Indenture Bill), so the right hadn’t been create in law yet. Further questions on the matter were snappily taken “on notice.”
The custodians that did get a chance to speak spoke eloquently and powerfully, but unfortunately the reality on the ground hardly touched many shareholders whose understanding of BHP Billitons operations boils down to dividends and glossy reports. When one shareholder stated that he had no sympathy for the claims of the Aboriginal custodians in the room because “they are a conquered race,” the Chairman moved on due to time constrains, rather than commenting on the inappropriateness of the remark. His patience for any inappropriate comments by Aboriginal representatives in the room was much less however, and his comments less reserved.
The 2011 alternative shareholder report, “The Dirty Energy Report” was also launched, and distributed to shareholders
– from Nectaria Calan, 2 Dec 11
No comments yet.
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 
Leave a Reply