Antinuclear

Australia: nuclear news wrap up for the week

Radioactive waste Still the most important news – still the one not covered by the media – the Senate now ganging up to shut up Scott Ludlam -lone voice against the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill –  it was tabled for discussion in  cynical timing – as the nation watched the  Gillard-Rudd soap opera.

Federal politics Rumour has it that Gillard will punish the pro Rudd politicians.  What a good idea it would be – to sack Martin Ferguson from the Ministry! Meanwhile the new vacancy in the Senate could result in the arrival of a Pro Nuclear Aborigine, Warren Mundine

Uranium industry South Australia As the anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster  approaches, the uranium lobby bravely touts its economic future, in the face of ever downward share price trend.  The South Australian Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis  puts a bold face on it – praises the uranium industry, but declaring the nuclear industry “uneconomic”.

And – we silly public – we thought that South Australia saved Arkaroola Wilderness from uranium mining, because they cared about the environment!   Not  a bit of it.  Koutsantonis  explains that it was because the government didn’t want young anti uranium protestors disrupting uranium mining conferences.

Arkaroola’s protection from uranium mining passed into law, – even if it was done for the wrong reasons by the South Australian government

Lynas Australian rare earths company The world, especially South East Asia watches, as the first entry of things nuclear is attempted by the Australian rare earths company, Lynas. If Lynas can get its project going, with no plan for disposing of the radioactive wastes, well, nuclear companies will be ready to follow suit.   But Lynas is not the only Ugly Australian company abroad. Paladin uranium’s bad record in Africa is just one amongst the sad reality of white Western  miners exploiting African people and environment.

Greens call for uranium to be included in the mineral resources rent tax (MRRT).   Renewable energy ups and downs. In Victoria, Baillieu government is unconcerned, as its anti wind farm policy drives investment away.

February 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews