Antinuclear

Australia: nuclear and climate news this week

Nuclear waste dump Govt secretive about 4 sites volunteered in South Australia for nuclear waste storage. Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) calls for Australian government transparency on nuclear waste site nominations.  Australian Labor Party to roll over on nuclear policy and become indistinguishable from Liberal

Australia at the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference 2015 – embarrassing disarmament double-speak 

South Australia’s Nuclear Chain Royal Commission released all 4 Issues Papers 

1. First Nuclear Royal Commission Issues Paper indicates an expensive farce  
2. Dennis Matthews exposes South Australia Royal Commission “Issues Paper 2″ spin   
3.   Issues Paper 4 – misleading and serious omissions
4. Critique of Issues Paper 3 is being developed

Even the pro Nuclear Royal Commission admits the threat of the nuclear industry to precious groundwater

Climate change. Abbott advisor Maurice Newman has embarrassed even our climate sceptic government, by insulting Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the UN’s Framework on Climate Change. Figueres laughs it off.   Public and academic outcry force Uni of Western Australia to ditch Bjorn Lomborg centre. But Australia’s Education Minister Pyne seeks new home for this climate sceptic centre.  Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s hype about “Direct Action” doesn’t ring true

Politics. Magnificent Greens warrior leader Christine Milne resigns – graciously, as Bob Brown did before her. I’m sure that she will continue to be an effective voice for climate action. Richard Di Natale takes over, to continue the Greens political campaign for the health of Australians and their environment. Federal budget due on May 12. We can expect generous handouts to the big polluters. Minerals Council pushes for overturning of Australia’s environmental laws

Renewable Energy.  Abbott govt cutback to Renewable Energy Target (RET) will send solar industry backwards, cost 1000s of jobs, and freeze investment.  inclusion of native wood burning – to further wreck the RET.  Still – there are positive decvelopments:

• Prosperity for Victorian farmers hosting wind farms
• South Australia gets world class floating solar system – by an Australian company.
• Australian Capital Territory could become Australia’s Silicon Valley of renewable energy

Aboriginal land. Thousands rally across Australia against closure of Indigenous communities. United Nations forum supports Kimberley Land Council’s plea to save Aboriginal communities from closure.

May 9, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews