2016 June 05 « Antinuclear

Hi-tech renewable energy jobs reviving south-west Victoria’s economy

High-tech, clean energy jobs key to future of Geelong, south-west Victoria, ABC News, 5 June 16 By Cameron Best Steve Garner understands how important his wind farm manufacturing business is for the town of Portland in south-west Victoria.

As the state’s traditional manufacturing base continues to decline, jobseekers and the wider economy are looking for the jobs of the future.

Six months ago, Mr Garner’s Keppel Prince Engineering facility lay idle under the Federal Government’s freeze on new wind energy investment and former prime minister Tony Abbott’s desire to reduce the growth rate of what he labelled as “visually awful” wind farms.

Now, under a new Clean Energy Finance Corporation mandate, the production line at Keppel Prince is back up and running with about 300 workers making towers for a project near Ararat.

It has come just in time for Portland, which is facing the possibility of life without its major employer……

“the stronger we can grow something like this [facility], that actually does create a lot of jobs, the better off we’re going to be.

“And if we get government support to do that, we’ve then got a sustainable business for a long period of time.”…

New-wave tech replacing manufacturing of old

High-tech industries are springing up to utilise some of the skilled workers coming out of the automotive industry but in order to remain globally competitive, this new wave of advanced manufacturers cannot afford to be as labour-intensive as the companies of old…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-05/high-tech,-clean-energy-jobs-the-key-to-geelong-future/7476816

June 5, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business, Victoria, wind | Leave a comment

Japan’s media lockdown on criticism of nuclear industry

increasing government pressure, exacerbated by the entry into force in the past year of a law on state secrets, including nuclear related matters. A law with vague outlines threatens journalists with imprisonment for disclosing “secret” information. A sign of the times is that three television journalists known for their independence announced their resignation at the beginning of the year. Among them is Furutachi Ichiro, presenter of “Hodo Station,” which, according to Honma Ryu, was targeted by Dentsu for several years because of his critical views on nuclear power and the Abe administration.

No doubt Dentsu, [huge advertising agency] privileged ambassador of the largest industrial groups, will continue to play its role in the great media lockdown ongoing in Japan.

Fukushima and Nuclear Power: Does the Advertising Giant Dentsu Pull the Strings of Japan’s Media? By Mathieu Gaulène Global Research, June 05, 2016 INA Global and Asia-Pacific Journal 1 June 2016

“……The 2016 comeback of nuclear advertisements and resignations of TV journalists

For Honma Ryu, this is a sign of a resumption of promotion activities of nuclear power. “Hakuhodo has actually been a member of the JAIF for two years,” he explained, after the Fukushima accident. Obviously, having been sidelined for several decades from this gold mine of nuclear advertisements, the rival agency wants to restore its share in the promotion of nuclear power in the post-Fukushima era. …..

although plant restarts have been hindered by dozens of lawsuits, some victorious as in Takahama, and the general population has generally been reluctant to see resumption of reactors, promoting nuclear power has again become intense.

After restarting one plant in 2015, 2016 is the year of a discreet comeback for nuclear advertisements. These appear in the press and on local television of the prefectures with power stations. Continue reading →

June 5, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sample email to Labor Party MPs on their nuclear policy

It is best to send emails or letters in your own words. However, here’s an example anyway.

This website will follow with interest – the politicians who bothered to answer, and whether or not they will stick to Labor’s policy.

Sender’s address, and date

The Hon Mr or Ms……..

Member for

Dear …….

As the Federal Election approaches, I need to know what is you position on the nuclear issue.

The 2015 National Policy Platform states:

Labor will:

Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste;
Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia;
Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and
Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.

The South Australian Labor government t is promoting a move to import nuclear wastes. In view of this, the National Labor Party will surely be re-examining the national policy.

Before deciding on my vote, I need to be sure of Labor policy on this issue.

Please tell me:

Will you vote to keep the present Labor policy as above, or will you vote to change it?

Yours faithfully

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