Importing #nuclear waste is illegal. The Lucas Heights returning waste is an exception
I hope that The Age and other media will make clear the fact that this radioactive trash returning from UK and France, emanates from radioactive trash that originated at Lucas Heights. Australia is legally obliged to take it back. A completely different proposition from the hare-brained idea of importing foreign nuclear wastes.
Under Commonwealth and State laws, no nuclear waste repository can be set up in Australia, with just this one exception.
The nuclear lobby, and the South Australian government will use this exception to confuse the public – so that this exception could become a foot in the door for the ill advised plan by some greedy Australian individuals, and by the desperate overseas nuclear companies, for South Australia to become the world’s nuclear toilet.
Increasing danger of #nuclear submarines in Indo Pacific oceans
‘the more submarines you put in the same body of water, the higher the probability they might collide’.
Indo-Pacific nuclear sub threat to rival Cold War AFR, by John Kerin, 3 Sept 15 The Indian and Pacific Oceans are becoming increasingly crowded with nuclear armed and conventional submarines increasing the risk of collision and nuclear conflict.
The warning is contained in a new Lowy Institute of International Affairs paper to be released on Friday which argues the region faces the greatest threat of a miscalculation involving nuclear armed submarines since the Cold War era.
“The regional contests for influence between the United States and China and China and India do not yet have the existential or ideological ‘life or death character’ of the Cold War,” the paper by Professor Rory Medcalf of the ANU based National Security College and Brendan-Thomas Noone from the Lowy International Security Program says.
“But quite literally below the surface a new and dangerous competition is emerging as China and India in particular start deploying nuclear weapons at sea………. Continue reading
Abbott govt soon to give shortlist of sites for Lucas Heights nuclear waste dump
Nuclear waste dumps: Abbott government close to releasing shortlist of possible sites, SMH, September 3, 2015 James Massola Political correspondent The Abbott government is close to releasing a shortlist of possible sites to host a nuclear waste dump, but has missed a self-imposed August deadline. At least four locations — two in South Australia’s Kimba shire, one in Leonora in Western Australia and one in Yalgoo, WA — are among those in the running to be on the shortlist of sites that will host the “national radioactive waste management facility”, though a final decision on the location is not due until 2017.
The delay in the release of the list has prompted suggestions from Labor of a link with the Canning byelection on September 19. Continue reading
Video: Walkajurra Walkabout protest Toro uranium mining project
Walkajurra Walkabout begins fifth protest of Toro uranium mining project Anti-nuclear protesters have come together for the fifth consecutive Walkajurra Walkabout to oppose energy company’s Toro Energy uranium mining project.By Craig Quartermaine Yellarie Source: NITV News 31 AUG 2015
TRANSCRIPT Malarndirri McCarthy: The Walkajurra Walkabout has international anti-nuclear protesters and traditional owners gathered together on some of the richest uranium deposits in the country.
Craig Quartermaine: I’m here at Yellerie Station for the Walkajurra Walkabout that will continue for the next two weeks it’s a dynamic mix of people who make their way through country
After protesters set up camp, they had a breakdown of the meeting with Toro Energy before turning in for the night……
Kado Muir is the Tjurrura man who has lead the event for the last five years .
Kado Muir, Walkajurra Walkabout organiser: So if they ever got the approval to mine it, it would dig up a 50 kilometre area, taking uranium out of the ground, turning it over, extracting the ore, leaving radioactive materials behind, all this beautiful land will end up being a radioactive wasteland……..Basically all these people share this common goal with us the Aboriginal people of this land of keeping uranium in the ground and shutting down the nuclear industry.
Jobs and solar energy are the concerns of Canning voters
Canning byelection: Voters want jobs, solar energy: Greens, WA Times,
September 1, 2015 The coalition is using the politics of fear in its bid to woo voters in the Canning electorate, but locals care more about jobs and solar energy, the Greens say.
Leader Richard Di Natale said it was “rich” that Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie told the party’s recent state conference it was “disgusting” others were using the byelection as a chance to kick the Prime Minister and advocate for solar energy.
But about half of the electorate used solar energy, including hot water systems, so solar was clearly an important issue, Dr Di Natale said.He referred to Friday’s Border Force debacle, saying locals were much more concerned about issues such as power prices, the West Australian economy and employment for young people………Greens candidate Vanessa Rauland, who runs a business that helps organisations reduce their carbon footprint, said she would move from Fremantle to the electorate if she wins. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/canning-byelection-voters-want-jobs-solar-energy-greens-20150901-gjckgc.html#ixzz3kiFFdCBz
Eric Schlosser in Australia to talk about #nuclear weapons
Investigative journalist Eric Schlosser on America’s history of nuclear weapons, ABC, Lateline By Amy Sherden US author Eric Schlosser, best known for his book and film Fast Food Nation, has revealed how small human errors and complacency have led to the United States almost blowing itself up on several occasions.
The investigative journalist has been researching America’s history of nuclear weapons for his book Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident and the Illusion of Safety.
He delves into great detail on the “Damascus incident” of September 18, 1980, where a missile equipped with a nuclear warhead exploded in a launch silo at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.
An airman conducting maintenance on the USAF Titan-II ballistic missile dropped a socket wrench about 24 metres, with the two-kilogram tool punching through the skin of the fuel tank.
The rupture caused a fuel leak and nine hours later the missile exploded.
An airman was killed and the launch complex was destroyed. But thanks to the warhead’s built-in safety features, it did not detonate.
Schlosser is in Australia for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, talking about our delusions over nuclear weapons. Here are some of the key points from his interview with Lateline…….
Tasmania set be be regional leader with the right renewable energy policies
The Abbott Government’s continued hostility towards renewables will see Australia slip down the ranks and fall behind. We cannot afford to be left behind.
Renewable energy promises to be one of the leading industries of the 21st century, and a long-term strategy should focus on attracting investment.
Over $2.5 trillion is expected to be invested in renewables in the Asia Pacific region by 2030 — we need to make sure this investment is made here in Tasmania.
Renewable energy policy key to growth http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-renewable-energy-policy-key-to-growth/story-fnj4f64i-1227511349295 HELEN POLLEY MERCURY SEPTEMBER 04, 2015
Tasmania can continue to lead the way if the correct policies, strategies and mindset are put in place now. By looking at renewable energy as an investment in Australia’s future and leveraging new opportunities Tasmania could become a world leader in this field.
Tony Abbott and his Liberals have done everything in their power to mess with renewable energy in Australia, and come election time there will be a clear cut choice between Labor and the Liberals when it comes to renewable energy Continue reading
Solar energy news items – South Australia and Victoria
Solar to replace nuclear and coal
UBS believes solar power could become the default power supply technology of the future
http://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/solar-power-to-take-on-wind-coal-as-industry-scales-up-20150901-gjd1u6 (subscribers only)
Energy company shows interest in building manufacturing plant in Adelaide
A Brisbane-based energy company flags the possibility of building a manufacturing plant in Adelaide, which will produce battery storage units for solar energy.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-02/allgrid-shows-interest-building-manufacturing-plant-adelaide/6745118
Solar energy project to create 30 SA jobs
THE South Australian government says the expansion of a Queensland-based Indigenous renewable energy company will create more than 30 job
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/solar-energy-project-to-create-30-sa-jobs/story-fni0xqi4-1227508948669
Solar power storage system helps Croydon family slash power bill
CLEAN energy experts say home solar power storage technology could turn our power system on its head.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/solar-power-storage-system-helps-croydon-family-slash-power-bill/story-fngnvlxu-1227509334574
Institute of Public Affairs to win prize from USA right wing group?
Thinktank Institute of Public Affairs up for prize for role in repealing carbon tax, Guardian 2 Sept Organisation’s former policy director Tim Wilson – now Australia’s human rights commissioner – praised over efforts to counter ‘misinformation’ peddled by carbon tax advocates The Institute of Public Affairs is in the running to win an international prize for its role in repealing the carbon tax.
The rightwing thinktank is a finalist for the $US100,000 (A$142,000) Templeton Freedom award, granted by American non-profit organisation the Atlas Network.
A glowing description of the IPA’s campaign strategy against the carbon tax – which was passed under 
the Gillard government in 2011 and repealed by the Abbott government in 2014 – is detailed on the Atlas Network website…….The IPA will find out if it has won the prize at a New York event in November. http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/03/thinktank-institute-of-public-affairs-up-for-prize-for-role-in-repealing-carbon-tax
Get Local For Climate Action #Auspol #CanningVotes
Get Local For Climate Action
Across the planet there is an unstoppable train of momentum as communities, countries and businesses race ahead with renewable energy solutions, leap-frogging outdated and polluting forms of energy.
But while the rest of the world gets on with the job, the Australian Government is shirking responsibility and clinging to a dirty and polluted past. If we don’t get with the action, we’ll get left behind.
So this October, Oxfam supporters like you are building community pressure on the Australian government. Join them! Get your friends together and visit your local Federal MP to talk climate.
You have the power to demand better from our leaders. Sign up to get local for climate action now!
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Feel a little daunted? Don’t worry, we’ll provide plenty of resources, you can come along to a training and information session and your state Community Campaigner is available to answer…
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of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
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