The week in nuclear news – Australia
South Australia: Submissions for draft Terms of Reference – Royal Commission into nuclear power – closing date March 13. We don’t know who will be on this ?”expert ” panel, headed by pro nuclear Kevin Scarce . March 13 leaves a very short time, especially for those who will be most affected – Aboriginal South Australians, many of whom do not speak or write English. But that’s no doubt the idea, in the time honoured tradition of putting radioactive nasties on indigenous land.
It’s easy to do a submission – go to https://conservationsa.good.do/renewable-not-radioactive/make-your-submission-now/
Canada to take part in this Royal Commission, – invited by South Australian Labor Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Liberal federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb. That’s despite the notoriety of Canada’s nuclear industry . Canada now dominates World Bank corruption list, thanks to its nuclear technology exporter SNC-Lavalin.
Federal Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey wants a nuclear waste dump in his electorate of Grey. Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride sees $billions in a nuclear waste import industry
Australian-first floating solar farm due to begin construction in SA
Western Australia: Barnett Liberal government has approved Cameco’s Kintyre uranium mine, with (weak) conditions. Govt is dismissive of environmental concerns, and is also not waiting for the outcome of corruption investigation.
Barnett govt also bringing in new laws to stifle protest. Premier planning a “review” of remote Aboriginal communities, but refuses to meet their leaders
National: Federal govt calls for nominations, by May 5, to host radioactive waste dump . Govt produces its “Intergenerational Report” – climate change barely mentioned, no policy beyond 2020 .Australia quietly stopped testing of food imports from Japan. Abbott govt enjoys dragging on forever about the Renewable Energy Target, as investors give up on renewable energy – which is, of course, the Govt’s intention.
Kintyre uranium mine proposal approved – take action
Mia Pepper Nuclear Free Campaigner Conservation Council of Western Australia mia.pepper@ccwa.org.au www.ccwa.org.au
This week the WA Environment Minister approved the proposed uranium mine at Kintyre unique desert ecosystem that was excised from the Karlamilyi National Park to allow mining. The Federal Environment Minister now decides the fate of WA’s largest National Park and the surrounding Martu communities under threat from the proposed Kintyre uranium mine. TAKE ACTION HERE
We need your help to get the word out- please share this short video from the Parnngurr community who are fighting against the uranium proposal – and to send a message to Minister Greg Hunt.
http://ccwa.org.au/takeaction/kintyre
Your support in getting this message out is so important – especially to the communities facing the threat.
Liberal and Labor MPs want Canada involved in Royal Commission – (pity about Canada’s nuclear corruption)
South Australia to tap Canada’s nuclear know-how THE AUSTRALIAN SA Bureau Chief Adelaide MARCH 07, 2015 SOUTH Australian Labor Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has met Canadian government officials to push for their participation in his state’s royal commission into the nuclear industry.
Michael OwenSOUTH Australian Labor Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has met Canadian government officials to push for their participation in his state’s royal commission into the nuclear industry.
The news came as federal Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey, whose electorate covers a vast area of South Australia’s remote far north, said he hoped a potential site for a national nuclear dump could be found inthe region, and would consider one on his 2400ha farm……..
Mr Koutsantonis, also the state’s Energy Minister, is a strong proponent of developing a nuclear energy industry in South Australia.
He was in Canada this week for the world’s largest mining convention, the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada International Convention.
He told The Weekend Australian that South Australia’s planned royal commission into nuclear power was a hot topic in meetings at PDAC, held in Toronto with more than 25,000 attendees from 100 countries………
Mr Koutsantonis met senior government officials, in particular those from the provinces of Saskatchewan and Ontario, to talk about the potential of the nuclear fuel cycle in South Australia…….
Mr Koutsantonis said the reaction to Premier Jay Weatherill’s announcement of a royal commission had been “overwhelmingly positive”. He said that federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb, also in Canada promoting Australian mining interests, had reaffirmed the Abbott government’s support for the royal commission.
Canada is notorious for corruption in its nuclear industry
SNC-Lavalin faces rare corporate fraud and bribery charges LES PERREAUX, JEFF GRAY AND BERTRAND MAROTTE MONTREAL and TORONTO — The Globe and Mail, Feb. 19 2015, The RCMP have laid rare corporate fraud and bribery charges against SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. [nuclear technology exporters] after protracted negotiations with prosecutors failed to reach a settlement, threatening the future of an enormous Canadian firm that builds infrastructure around the world.
While former company executives already face criminal charges related to bribing Libyan officials – former vice-president Riadh Ben Aissa has pleaded guilty to Swiss charges – a series of scandals has shown a culture of breaking ethics rules in the company’s executive suite prior to 2012. These are the first charges targeting the company as a whole.……….http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/snc-lavalin-faces-rare-corporate-fraud-and-bribery-charges/article23108284/
Canada now dominates World Bank corruption list, thanks to SNC-Lavalin, Financial Post Armina Ligaya | September 18, 2013 Canada’s corporate image isn’t looking so squeaky-clean in the World Bank’s books — all thanks to SNC-Lavalin.Corruption’s double standard: It’s time to punish countries whose officials accept bribes
Out of the more than 250 companies year to date on the World Bank’s running list of firms blacklisted from bidding on its global projects under its fraud and corruption policy, 117 are from Canada — with SNC-Lavalin and its affiliates representing 115 of those entries, the World Bank said.
“As it stands today, the World Bank debarment list includes a high number of Canadian companies, the majority of which are affiliates to SNC Lavalin Inc.,” said the bank’s manager of investigations, James David Fielder.
“This is the outcome of a World Bank investigation relating the Padma Bridge project in Bangladesh where World Bank investigators closely cooperated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in an effort to promote collective action against corruption.”
As a result of the misconduct found during the probe, the Montreal-based engineering and construction firm, and its affiliates as per World Bank policy, were debarred in April 2013 for 10 years, as part of a settlement with SNC-Lavalin. And in one fell swoop, 115 Canadian firms were blacklisted by the World Bank, making Canada seemingly look like the worst offending country.
It’s quite the jump from 2012, when no Canadian companies were barred……..http://business.financialpost.com/2013/09/18/canada-now-dominates-world-bank-corruption-list-thanks-to-snc-lavalin/
Lavalin looks to expand nuclear enterprise in China SHAWN MCCARTHY – GLOBAL ENERGY REPORTER OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail, Apr. 13 2014, SNC-Lavalin Inc. is hoping to revitalize its international nuclear business through an effort with its Chinese partners to burn reprocessed fuel in a Candu reactor as a way to reduce radioactive waste…….
Critics contend the Candu 6 is an outdated design that lacks safety features included in newer reactors, and that it is a technology that the international marketplace has largely rejected since the 1990s.
“So yeah, the industry is trying to say Candu isn’t dead. Never say die,” said Shawn-Patrick Stensil, a nuclear campaigner at Greenpeace Canada. “If Candu isn’t dead, it’s a zombie.”http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/lavalin-looks-to-grow-in-china/article17950935/
Western Australian government dismissive about environmental concerns re Kintyre uranium mine
Pilbara uranium mine: Minister dismisses concerns over environmental approval ABC News 6 Mar 15 Western Australia’s Environment Minister Albert Jacob has dismissed concerns about his conditional approval of a Pilbara uranium mine. One of the world’s largest uranium producers, Cameco, is proposing to build the Kintyre open-cut mine about 270 kilometres north-east of Newman.
Environmentalists have condemned the decision, citing concerns over the level of radiation monitoring required of the company throughout the Karlamilyi National Park, where the mine would be located……..
the WA Conservation Council’s Mia Pepper said the Government should ensure any animal which is consumed by traditional landowners, not just those that are endangered, also remain protected.”In that area there is a lot of hunting and the big concern is around the radiological uptake in bush foods, which could impact public health,” she said.
“Whether there’s a big risk or a small risk, the point is that there should be monitoring and there should be evidence that the company can provide to the community to say that there is no risk.”……..
Traditional owners, the Martu people, signed a land-use deal with Cameco in 2012.
Kintyre now requires federal environmental approval.
The Conservation Council said environmental groups have vowed to continue to fight the project and will take their concerns to Canberra.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-06/minister-dismisses-concerns-over-uranium-mine-approval/6286908
Corruption investigation does not stop Western Australia from approving Kintyre uranium mine
WA uranium mine approved despite looming corruption investigation, WA Today March 6 Steve Holland WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob approved a controversial uranium mine proposal on Thursday despite a looming investigation into the dealings of representatives of the traditional owners of the land.
Cameco Australia, in a joint venture project with Mitsubishi Development, acquired the Kintyre uranium deposit in WA’s remote Pilbara region in 2008 and the final stages of approval are edging closer.
But dealings of the representatives of the local Martu people, including the business practices of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, are currently under investigation by the Office of Regional Indigenous Corporations, or ORIC. Continue reading
Western Australia government – new laws to stifle protest
Protesters face new laws Daniel EmersonMarch 6, 2015, The Barnett Government has declared war on radical protesters with new laws criminalising thumb-locks, barrel locks or any other way of physically preventing or threatening lawful activity.The laws – introduced to the Legislative Council last week without fanfare – reverse the onus of proof, carry maximum penalties of two years jail or a $24,000 fine and ensure cost recovery for any police response.
Stung in recent years by campaigns against shark culling, gas processing at James Price Point and, more recently, logging of Mowen Forest in the South West, the Government says it needs enhanced laws to combat evolving tactics of protesters. The Opposition has warned the wording of the Bill prohibiting the “physical prevention of a lawful activity” is so broad it could capture a range of activities, including sit-in protests at electorate offices or marches that impede traffic.
The laws make intentionally or physically preventing a lawful activity an offence punishable by 12 months jail or a $12,000 fine. Police suspicion is enough to determine the intention was there, which the accused person must disprove in court.
The penalties double when the conduct risks physical harm to anyone, including the accused. It will also be an offence to manufacture or possess any “thing” suspected to be used for physically preventing lawful action……..
In South Australia, don’t mention Maralinga, Rum Jungle, Radium Hill, Chernobyl, Fukushima …..
Dennis Matthews. 7 March 15 Isn’t it fascinating how the nuclear industry and it’s fellow travellers are so sensitive about the industry’s past and present performance and want us to concentrate on some idyllic, non-existent, waste-free, nuclear weapons-free, mirage.
Whatever you do don’t mention Maralinga, or Rum Jungle, or Radium Hill, or radioactive emissions and leaks at Roxby Downs, or underground acidic leach mining of uranium in SA, or Three Mile Island, or the on-going tragedies at Chernobyl and Fukushima, or a host of lesser publicised “incidents”, let’s all forget that nasty, distasteful stuff (ugh!), let’s be positive, let’s waffle on about what might be possible in some far-distant future.
Talk about fairies at the bottom of the garden!
As a history professor is reputed to have told his students “those of you who fail to learn from history will, at the very least, have to repeat this course.”
On this basis alone the nuclear lobby would score a big fat F.
BHP supports a price on carbon (I bet they want to exclude uranium mining)
BHP demands ‘rules’ of the carbon game
BHP Billiton is looking to increase its investment in low-emissions technologies and has called for clarity from governments on climate change policy, saying “we want to know what the rules of the game are and get on and play”. …
BHP is a long-time supporter of political action on climate change, but only on specific terms.
The miner backed the Abbott Government’s decision to repeal the Gillard government’s carbon tax. However, BHP supports a price on carbon.
Intergenerational Report fails to consider the impacts of climate change beyond 2020.
Intergenerational Report goes backwards on climate change KELLIE CAUGHTABC Environment 6 Mar 15 Despite projecting Australia’s future out to 2055, the Intergenerational Report failed to consider the impacts of climate change beyond 2020.
IT’S UP TO THIS generation, including our political leaders, to do the right thing to protect the people and places we love.
Despite this, the 2015 Intergenerational Report has failed to outline concrete, long-term steps to address one of the greatest threats facing our children — climate change.
There’s no plan to future-proof Australia, and the budget, against the worst impacts of climate change. Instead, it’s a missed opportunity to build on the 2010 report which highlighted climate change as among the top three challenges to Australia’s long-term economic sustain ability. To give perspective, the 2010 report mentioned ‘climate change’ more than 80 times. The 2015 report, just 19 times.
It relies on the Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund as the key policy until 2020, but lacks a plan beyond this. There are no projections of the costs of climate impacts, and no clear pathway for Australia to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and sensibly transition towards zero carbon pollution (net) by 2050………
In 2014, Australia became the first country to remove its price on carbon. Before the repeal the carbon price contributed to a 1.4 per cent fall in carbon pollution in the 2013/14 financial year. If we are to provide a better future for our kids, Australia should be cutting its carbon pollution by at least 25 per cent by 2020 and at least 40 per cent by 2025 (below 2000 levels).
Australia will be one of the countries hardest and fastest hit by climate change. Unless we show a commitment to our future generations now, they will bear the brunt of these impacts. The 2015 Intergenerational Report failed on climate change. Yet, by acting soon and alongside others in Paris, Australia still has the opportunity to correct this for the sake of our children, and grandchildren.
Kellie Caught is Climate Change National Manager for WWF-Australia. http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2015/03/06/4192607.htm
WA Premier Colin Barnett talks about “review” of remote Aboriginal communities, but won’t meet their leaders
Barnett made the comments to PerthNow on Thursday morning, the same time as a meeting of the alliance of WA land councils in Broome.
Aboriginal land councils used the meeting to insist that Aboriginal people be given a say in issues like the remote community closures, declaring in a joint statement that “governments cannot decide where Aboriginal people live in Western Australia”.
Barnett was invited to attend that meeting but declined due to “prior commitments”.
He told PerthNow that a “comprehensive look” at the viability of remote Aboriginal communities was “under way” and he expected it to uncover evidence of “abuse”…… Continue reading
Government in no hurry to reach agreement on Renewable Energy Target?
Renewable energy target compromise deal within reach but no time frame set, Greg Hunt says ABC News PM By David Mark 6 Mar 15 Environment Minister Greg Hunt says an agreement with Labor and the renewable energy industry on the renewable energy target (RET) is “within reach”, but it seems there are still sticking points and different views from within Government. Continue reading
Australia has its own cogs in the climate science denial machine.
Doubt over climate science is a product with an industry behind it With its roots in the tobacco industry, climate science denial talking points can be seen as manufactured doubt Guardian, Graham Readfearn 5 Mar 15“………As well as the sympathetic Rupert Murdoch-owned press and the fossil fuel industry, there is the influential free market “think tank” the Institute of Public Affairs.
The IPA is another group to push climate science denial while also defending the tobacco industry (the Sydney Morning Herald reported in 2012 that British American Tobacco was a financial supporter of the institute.)
Last year the IPA encouraged supporters to take advantage of a tax concession to help fund a climate book with chapters written by a familiar line-up of climate science denialists – one of which was Dr Soon.
In February, the IPA ran a short speaking tour promoting its book Climate Change: The Facts (it was suggested to me that moving the semi colon in the book’s title one word to the left would better describe the contents).http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2015/mar/05/doubt-over-climate-science-is-a-product-with-an-industry-behind-it
1 This month
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