Roundup of the week’s Australian nuclear news

Legal cases. Against Olympic Dam. Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott continuing his Davis and Goliath case against BHP Billiton, on the environmental impact of the planned new big Olympic Dam uranium mine. Planned Muckaty nuclear waste dump. Federal government is likely to proceed with this, even if the Aborignal landowners win their court action against it. All in the long established tradition of racism in Australian nuclear/uranium matters. But the Aboriginal legal challenge will continue.

Renewable energy. As July 1st approaches, fossil fuel companies, and their State Liberal government friends are redoubling their attacks on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and on wind energy. With the falling costs of photovolcaic solar energy, renewable energy is starting to look too good for comfort, and could change the public’s view of the Gillard government.

Queensland. The election here has given the fossil fuel industries pretty much open slather, and especially pleasing to them, nuclear industry included, is the way that the new Premier is taking the axe to climate change action, and to renewable energy projects. The Solar Dawn thermal energy project is the most significant of many to be facing the chop.

Uranium exploration in New South Wales. The NSW Upper House passed this bill – 20 votes to 18. The Bill is quite draconian – it extinguishes the need for consent from a Land Council in the case of uranium projects- and excludes uranium from provisions of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983

USA military stations in Australia. The first of 2500 U.S. marines arrive in Darwin. It is likely that they will be exempt rom Australian criminal law. USA drones and more USA nuclear submarines. This is concerning security analysts, such as Hugh White, as Australia aligns itself with USA militarisation of the region, against our most important trading partner, China.

Lynas rare earths company. The sag continues, with Malaysia currently insisting that Australia agrees to the return of its radioactive wastes to Australia. The Australian government is lying doggo on this question

Future Fund: push to stop Australia’s Future Fund investing in the production of nuclear weapons.