New South Wales Uranium Free Charter gathers political strength
The waste from any uranium mining in NSW would remain dangerous long after the O’Farrell government is gone from Macquarie Street.
Rather than promoting the unsafe uranium sector the government should building an energy future that is renewable, not radioactive
(Map: yellow shows area where uranium exploration could occur)
Nuke South Wales? http://www.onlineopinion.com.
au/view.asp?article=14007 By Natalie Wasley and Pepe Clarke -, 20 August 2012 Earlier this year, in a sharp break with a long standing and bi-partisan ban, the NSW Government announced it would allow uranium exploration across the state. This abrupt reversal of a 26-year prohibition came without warning or consultation and against the backdrop of the global nuclear industry reeling from the continuing
Fukushima disaster.
At the time, Premier O’Farrell cited the narrowly won ALP national conference vote allowing uranium sales to India as rationale for the policy change, but outside of cabinet responses ranged from wariness to outright hostility.
The decision to allow uranium exploration was – and is – fiercely opposed by NSW Labor and the Greens. Speaking against the move in both state parliament and a recent public meeting, Shadow Environment Minister Luke Foley captured the strength of this resistance: “As long as I am in public life I will argue against this dangerous industry
Civil society and community groups are increasing both the light and the heat on the Premier’s atomic ambitions including through this week’s launch of a NSW Uranium Free Charter in Sydney. The Charter highlights the dangers of the nuclear industry,calls on government to rule out uranium mining in New South Wales and has already gathered strong support state and national trade unions, environment groups, public health and student organisations. (see attached and
www.nccnsw.org.au/uranium ).
The Charter signals the start of a new campaign to keep NSW free from uranium mining and promises to increasingly locate this controversial mineral on the state political radar . Continue reading
Nazi taunt for Julian Assange’s mother on Melbourne’s 3AW radio
Assange’s mother subjected to Nazi taunts The Age August 19, 2012 – Julian Assange’s mother has hung up the phone on a Melbourne radio host after he taunted her with a Nazi slogan when she backed out of an interview.
Christine Assange was due to speak to 3AW’s Sunday morning show about her son, the founder of whistleblower website WikiLeaks, and his successful appeal for asylum in Ecuador.
But she changed her mind after hearing how co-host John-Michael Howson had treated a previous guest.
“I won’t be doing an interview with you because you’re acting like a pig,” Ms Assange said. Howson responded by screaming on air: “Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!”
Ms Assange then hung up the phone…… http://www.theage.com.au/national/assanges-mother-subjected-to-nazi-taunts-20120819-24g2f.html
Poor economic prospects for uranium mining, but Tony Abbott pledges his troth to it again
BHP Olympic Dam expansion vital to SA: Abbott Business Spectator, 20 Aug 2012 The
proposed Olympic Dam mine expansion is vital to the economic future of South Australia, but the only way to make it happen is to abolish mining taxes, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told a state Liberal conference…
.. BHP Billiton has until the end of the year to give the $30 billion expansion the final go-ahead or face the need to renegotiate approvals with the state government.
There is growing concern that global economic conditions will force the company to put its plans on hold, but South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says he cannot see any justification for granting the mining giants an extension to their agreement.
Mr Abbott said the mine expansion was being threatened by the federal government’s new mining taxes.
“The very best we can say of the Olympic Dam expansion is it is on a knife edge,” he said… http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Olympic-Dam-expansion-vital-to-SA-Abbott-XA4UZ?opendocument&src=rss
Julian Assange speaks out on need to support whistle blowers
http://rt.com/news/assange-wikileaks-public-statement-ecuador-embassy-london-057/ US war on whistleblowers must end – Assange (VIDEO) 19 August, 2012 Assange makes first public statement since entering Ecuador’s London embassy Julian Assange made his first public appearance in two months, ever 
since he took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Addressing the hundreds of people gathered outside the embassy, Assange thanked them for their support, claiming it was their resolve and presence that stopped British police storming the building.
“On Wednesday night, after a threat was sent to this embassy and police desceneded on this building, you came out in the middle of the night to watch over it, and you brought the worlds eyes with you. Inside this embassy after dark I could hear teams of police swarming up into the building through the internal fire escape,” Assange said.
“But I knew thered be witnesses. And that was because of you.”
The WikiLieaks founder thanked President Correa “for the courage he has shown” in granting him asylum, and to all the nations and individuals who have shown him support.
Assange also addressed the US government and President Obama, calling for the “witch hunt against WikiLeaks” to end.
“The United States must pledge before the world will not pursue journalists for shining light on the secret crimes of the powerful. The US administration’s war against whistleblowers must end.” He also spoke of Bradley Manning, the Army Private who has been charged with 22 criminal counts over his alleged role in providing Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks site with sensitive documents that were then distributed. Manning has been imprisoned for more than 800 days and has yet to stand trial before a military tribunal.
“On Wednesday Bradley spent his 815th day of detention w/o trial. The legal maximum is 120 days,” Assange told the crowds gathered outside the embassy.
“If Bradley Manning did as he is accused, he is a hero and invaluable to all of us. Bradley Manning must be released”.
Assange went on to mention Nabeel Rajab, a Bahraini human rights activist, who was “sentenced to 3 years in jail for a tweet”. …. “There is unity in the oppression,” Assange said. “There must be absolute unity and determination in the response” ….
Social media a factor, as Japan’s anti nuclear protests influence government
Many of the protesters are disgusted and disillusioned with the mainstream Japanese media coverage of the nuclear problem. They credit the success of their movement to social media, word of mouth, and the Internet. And it is true that the mainstream Japanese media, which was the recipient of TEPCO’s annual $400 million worth of advertising, has
been very reluctant to even report on the existence of the protesters until recently.
Nuclear Power Protests Find Wide Support in Japan, The Daily Beast Jake 
Adelstein,Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky Aug 19, 2012 A broad coalition of protesters opposes the re-opening of nuclear power plants in Japan, a country unaccustomed to social protest. It’s hard to ignore more than 20,000 anti-nuclear protesters at your front door. It’s even harder in a country like Japan, where more often than not repressive tradition and political apathy combine to stifle social protest. Continue reading
New South Wales government stifling wind power development
Answer to NSW’s power problems is blowing in the wind, says report SMH, August 20, 2012 Anna Patty State Political Reporter A REPORT on future power needs in NSW has identified wind energy – which has been publicly derided by the Premier, Barry O’Farrell – as a solution and investment opportunity for NSW.
The Australian Energy Market Operator – an independent company that closely monitors and operates the national electricity network – has released a report that says investment interest is focused on supplying renewable energy such as wind and gas during periods of peak demand on the hottest and coldest days of the year.
The report says investors are less interested in base load generation, which provides energy all year round…..
NSW government’s draft guidelines for new wind farm developments are designed to chronically handicap the expansion of the wind industry in this state,” Mr Foley said.
”The government has also placed prohibitive costs in the way of wind farm developments.”
Mr Foley said the wind industry in NSW had the potential to generate 3000 megawatts of wind energy to help future needs. ”According to the Australian Energy Market Commission, new wind energy projects in
Victoria facilitated by the renewable energy target will actually deliver lower wholesale electricity price increases than what will be seen in NSW,” he said.
”Rather than attacking wind farms, the O’Farrell government should require its own planning review to come up with a sensible and workable planning regime for the development of the wind industry in NSW.” http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/answer-to-nsws-power-problems-is-blowing-in-the-wind-says-report-20120819-24gjh.html#ixzz247RK3VnT
Asia Pacific – Australia – renewable energy about to boom
Renewable sector set to boom BY: SARAH-JANE TASKER The Australian August 19, 2012 PLENTY of deals are expected in Australia’s renewable energy sector in the second half of the year, as merger and acquisition activity in the Asia-Pacific region far outpaces the rest of the world.
A PwC report on deals in the power and renewable energy sectors, to be released today, shows globally the value of deals halved to $US50.8 billion in the first half compared with the same period last year, but Asia-Pacific deals more than tripled to $US23.6bn.
PwC energy, utilities and mining leader Jock O’Callaghan said there was growing interest in Australia’s renewable energy industry, driven by China and Japan, before the 2020 deadline for a 20 per cent renewable energy target…
… The largest renewable deal involved Japan’s Eurus Energy, a subsidiary of Tepco, agreeing to acquire the Hallett 5 wind farm for $US129 million, its first wind power investment in Australia. Mr O’Callaghan said a number of wind farms in Australia were likely to be put on the sales block this year……… http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/renewable-sector-set-to-boom/story-e6frg8zx-1226453640791
Revealed: Assange ‘rape’ accuser linked to notorious CIA operative
RS By David Edwards , December 6, 2010 One of the women accusing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of sex crimes appears to have worked with a group that has connections to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
James D. Catlin, a lawyer who recently represented Assange, said the sex assault investigation into the WikiLeaks founder is based on claims he didn’t use condoms during sex with two Swedish women.
Swedish prosecutors told AOL News last week that Assange was not wanted for rape as has been reported, but for something called “sex by surprise” or “unexpected sex.” One accuser, Anna Ardin, may have “ties to the US-financed anti-Castro and anti-communist groups,” according to Israel Shamir and Paul Bennett, writing for CounterPunch.
While in Cuba, Ardin worked with the Las damas de blanco (the Ladies in White), a feminist anti-Castro group.
Professor Michael Seltzer pointed out that the group is led by Carlos Alberto Montaner who is reportedly connected to the CIA………
In August, Assange told Al-Jazeera that the accusations were “clearly a smear campaign.”
“We have been warned that, for example, the Pentagon is planning on using dirty tricks to destroy our work,” Assange told the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet.
The WikiLeaks founder said he was told to be careful of “sex traps.” Had Assange fallen for one of those traps? “Maybe. Maybe not,” he said.
Catlin observed that both Ardin and Sofia Wilén, the second accuser, sent SMS messages and tweets boasting of their conquests following the alleged “rapes.”….
“The exact content of Wilén’s mobile phone texts is not yet known but their bragging and exculpatory character has been confirmed by Swedish prosecutors. Niether Wilén’s nor Ardin’s texts complain of rape,” Catlin said.
Ardin has also published a seven step guide on how to get revenge on cheating boyfriends. … http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/06/assange-rape-accuser-cia-ties/#.UDEM4yk0cbk.twitter
How a small country could lead the world towards nuclear disarmament
One Step At a Time – Nuclear disarmament: Could Malta lead the way? The Malta Independent 19 August 2012 Prof. Martin Hellman, Stanford University with the support of ICT Gozo Malta Project’s Ron Kelson (Synaptic Labs), Dave Pace, and Benjamin Gittins (Synaptic Labs)
At first, it might seem inconceivable that tiny Malta could lead the world in solving an issue as momentous as nuclear disarmament. Continue reading
Taiwan to cut down on nuclear power
Gov’t seeking ways to cut back on nuclear power use: minister, China Post, 20 Aug 2012, TAIPEI–-A comprehensive review of Taiwan’s energy supply structure is underway to comply with the nation’s policy of reducing its dependence on nuclear power, Economics Minister Shih Yen-shiang said. Finding ways to use alternative energy sources is of great importance because the country’s three existing nuclear power plants will be
taken offline once their licenses expire, Shih noted..
… In the three-hour closed door meeting, Premier Sean Chen exchanged views with some 20 industry representatives about how to develop renewable energy and cut down on carbon emissions.
One of 10 conclusions reached at the meeting is that the government will continue to push for “a reduction of nuclear energy use in a stable manner,” according to a statement released by the Cabinet.
Radiation in imported Japanese cars
Earlier, in June 2011, Australia had imported 800 vehicles from Japan and reported a significant level of radiation.
Cars with radiation threats, Business Recorder August 19, 2012 HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI (ISLAMABAD) For quite sometime, concerns have been shown by the local automotive industry about the import of refurbished and used cars from Japan into Pakistan that could possibly be contaminated by radiation. It is a grave issue of public health and safety,.. Continue reading
Australian company Mantra Resources part of Tanzania’s unholy uranium mess
How many firms have been involved in that particular area down the years? Apart from these two, names have been bandied about, including Australia-based Mantra Resources, and Russian Uranium/Uhuru-One! I’m told foreign companies routinely deal with each other outside the ambit of the government, thereby denying Tanzanians their rightful
entitlements in tax and other revenues!
Uranium resource curse already in near-full bloom in Tanzania! The C itizen, 18 August 2012 22:31 Karl Lyimo, The unholy mess that’s steadily but surely engulfing Tanzania in the Government’s equally unholy quest to exploit posthaste the country’s God-given uranium deposits is ample evidence – if further evidence were needed! – that there’s indeed such a gnomish malady as a natural resources curse!
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 