Australia: Freedom of Information and the Nuclear Industry- theme for October 19
Australia’s press freedom is under threat as never before.
It’s always been pretty bad, with Murdoch media controlling at least 70% of media outlets, and with Liberal governments trying to strangle the ABC,
But now – it is at crisis point. We have an Australian citizen, Julian Assange, held in solitary confinement in London, for the crime of skipping bail. UK and complicit Australia want to have him extradited to USA, to face life imprisonment for ‘treason”. What was his “treason”? Publishing the facts, revealed by Bradley Manning, on USA military atrocities. i.e. investigative journalism. (Manning also in prison)
We also have federal police raiding ABC offices and a journalist’s home. We have draconian security laws, and prosecutions of whistleblowers Richard Boyle, David McBride and Witness K.
Australia is fast developing a culture of press intimidation by government.
Has this anything to do with the nuclear industry? Not obviously directly. Not yet. But government and industry have always tried to see that the harms from uranium mining and nuclear bomb testing were covered up. Few Australians would have heard of the long term push by some politicians and defence industry personnel, for nuclear weapons.
As the global nuclear industry revs up its dishonest spin for “new nuclear”, and as climate change impacts this country, Australia is a sitting duck for the lie that “nuclear solves climate change”. And for the push for even more involvement in America’s nuclear weapons system. And for involvement in 
Trump’s Nuclear Weapons in Space programme.
We now have a government without any policy (unless you count “having a budget surplus” as a policy) Scott Morrison can’t forever shout “How good is that?” about everything. Journalists that criticise government actions are under scrutiny. It doesn’t bode well for any public policy area. And that certainly includes matters nuclear. more https://www.meaa.org/campaigns/press-freedom/
Australian children, and adults who care, march in their hundreds of thousands, for Action on Climate Change
While our revered Prime Minister was sucking up to USA’s revered President, and totally ignoring the climate issue, hundreds of thousands of Australian citizens were rallying for action on climate change. I was there, in Melbourne, and I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve been there in big rallies, 100,000 and more- but this was the biggest ever!
And so many children. It is their future, that we are talking about!!
|
Global climate strike : Australian school students march to protest climate change https://www.smh.com.au/national/global-climate-strike-live-australian-school-students-march-in-protest-of-climate-change-20190920-p52t70.htm By Jenny Noyes and Natassia Chrysanthos September 20, 2019 — That’s a wrap for Australia’s climate strikes It’s been a huge day for more than 300,000 Australian school and university students, families and workers who took to the streets of their cities and towns to protest climate change inaction. Organisers described the turnout as the biggest nationwide since 500,000 people protested against the Iraq war in 2003. Similar school strikes in March and November last year drew 40,000 and 15,000 people. Police commended the large crowds for displaying good behaviour at the peaceful protests. The rallies produced some powerful images, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne where the crowds were especially large – so check out our gallery to the right for all the best photos. [on original] |
|
A dilemma for Scott Morrison, as Trump suggests that Australia join USA in a possibly nuclear war with Iran
 Scott Morrison scrambles to contain political mushroom cloud after Trump raises nuclear option with Iran
The Australian press pack was hyperventilating when the US president made the suggestion Australia might be asked to join a coalition of the willing. Then collective amnesia set in, Guardian Katharine Murphy Political editor @murpharoo 21 Sep 2019 It seemed appropriate, albeit entirely surreal, to be inducted into the vagaries of the Trumpiverse by bearing witness, in the Oval Office, to the American president suddenly raising the spectre of using nuclear weapons against Iran. Friday’s program in Washington ran like clockwork while everybody had a script. But once we’d cleared the pomp and circumstance of the ceremonial welcome for Scott Morrison on the South Lawn of the White House, once the Australian press pack tumbled out of the sparkling spring sunshine into the Oval Office – we discovered Trump in an expansive mood…….. The president then volunteered he intended to have a quiet word to Scott Morrison over the course of their meetings on Friday, Washington time, about potential military options in Iran, and whether Australia might be persuaded to join a new coalition of the willing. …. Morrison maintained his best poker face as the president informed the hyperventilating press pack “I always like a coalition”….. Before we could process the information that Australia might be off to war in Iran, things spiralled. The unheralded military action could be – wait for it – nuclear. Trump noted America had renovated the arsenal and acquired new nuclear capability, and the rest of the military was “all brand new”…….. With vexed options now tumbling out of Trump’s mouth at a clip, it did seem prudent to check in with the prime minister at this point. What was his position on Australia joining military action in Iran?…… The politically vexed question about whether Australia would do more than protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was therefore moot. If any request was forthcoming, Australia would consider it on its merits, through the prism of national interest, Morrison said, before gathering his host, smiling at the cameras, and exiting, stage right. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/21/scott-morrison-scrambles-to-contain-political-mushroom-cloud-after-trump-raises-nuclear-option-with-iran |
|
Risk of going nuclear
The Age, Linda Brownstein, 21 Sept 19, Japan still struggles to deal with the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011, and half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production has been damaged by attacks by drones.
Why would anyone in their right mind, such as the Australian Workers Union, promote nuclear power? It does not take much imagination to see that the ease with which nuclear power plants can be damaged will be an irresistible honeypot to all sorts of individuals and groups, and a continual source of potential devastation.
NO, Minerals Council, you have your facts wrong on nuclear costs
NOT CHEAPER The Advertiser, Robyn Wood, 19 Sept 19, REGARDING nuclear power: the Minerals Council is factually wrong when it says that nuclear power is cheaper than other energy sources.
All reputable studies show that nuclear is far more expensive than existing coal, new coal, oil and renewables with storage.
I had hoped that the Minerals Council reports would be factually-based. Time for it to do some more research.
Controversial MP Barnaby Joyce on the pro nuclear campaign trail
If there’s anyone really intelligent in Australia’s nuclear lobby, might they be wishing that Barnaby would just shut up? With friends like Barnaby, who needs enemies?
Barnaby Joyce finds a new cause in nuclear power, Australia’s best-known backbencher is hitching a ride to the nuclear debate and creating awkward moments. AFR, Aaron PatrickSenior Correspondent. Who knew? Barnaby Joyce loves nuclear energy as much as he detests abortions.
As a budding debate over splitting the atom fires up in three parliaments, the former deputy prime minister has decided that his new parliamentary vehicle, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources, deserves a piece of the nuclear action.
On Friday morning, before a tour of Sydney’s own nuclear reactor, Joyce’s committee held a “nuclear industry roundtable” discussion that was broadcast live with about 30 energy industry experts, bureaucrats and lobbyists.
The purpose was, Joyce said, “to dispel some strongly held beliefs which may or may not be true”.
He couldn’t refer to the hearing as an inquiry, because one of those already exists – and helpfully covered much of the same information last month.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy, which is reviewing nuclear energy at the government’s direction, held its hearing in Sydney three weeks ago.
Several of the same organisations turned up to Joyce’s event, which was held in a hotel within walking distance of Sydney Airport, making transport easier for the Member for New England.
To add to the double-dating awkwardness, Joyce’s star witness, businessman Ziggy Switkowski, read out the same opening statement he prepared for the other committee – by phone.
The real inquiry also visited the reactor, where it’s a wonder the distracted engineers haven’t inadvertently triggered a core meltdown.
Which raises an interesting question: would a nuclear accident that took out a parliamentary committee increase or lower public support for the power source?…… https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/barnaby-joyce-finds-a-new-cause-in-nuclear-power-20190919-p52t2y
As Morrison and Australia’s richest suck up to Trump, plan for rare earths business
Morrison and Trump open new front in China trade war with rare earth ‘action plan’, SMH, By Matthew Knott and David Crowe, September 21, 2019 Prime Minister Scott Morrison will throw Australian support behind US President Donald Trump in a bid to counter China’s dominance in vital raw materials as part of a historic state visit to the US capital.
The “action plan” will open a new front against China in a widening technology and trade war by exploiting Australian reserves of the rare earths and other materials that are essential for products ranging from iPhones to batteries and hybrid cars.
Mr Morrison arrived in Washington DC with a message for Mr Trump that positioned Australia as an ideal friend that would back its longstanding ally on Israel, Iran and wider defence policy……
Mr Morrison wants Mr Trump and his colleagues to see Australia as their strongest military ally over the past century and is using the visit to pledge the same close alliance for the century ahead.
Mr Trump’s officials believe the joint plan with Australia will improve the security of supply of materials in critical shortage, saying this will ensure economic security for both partners…….
US officials also praised Australia as a “tremendous partner” in opposing Iran’s nuclear program and interference in shipping, while Mr Morrison made it clear he backed the US in its support for Israel – a totemic issue for Mr Trump.
“Under my government we have taken an even stronger stand against the biased and unfair targeting of Israel in the UN General Assembly,” Mr Morrison says in the draft of his speech to the State Department………
The menu served to guests including golfer Greg Norman, businesswoman Gina Rinehart and media mogul Rupert Murdoch will include sunchoke ravioli, Dover sole and lady apple tart with ice cream for dessert.
Following his visit to Washington, Mr Morrison will travel to Chicago to meet the governor of Illinois, then Ohio to visit a new recycling plant owned by Australian billionaire Richard Pratt and on to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-and-trump-open-new-front-in-china-trade-war-with-rare-earth-action-plan-20190920-p52tco.html
Australian Labor Party standing firm on its climate policies
Labor’s climate policies are ‘unshakeable’ despite 
election loss, Mark Butler says
Shadow climate minister says he believes Scott Morrison may shift on issue during the coming term, Guardian, Katharine Murphy Political editor @murpharoo, 21 Sep 2019 Mark Butler wants to make one thing clear: the shadow minister for climate change and energy is not for turning. It wasn’t a mistake to pursue an ambitious climate policy in the 2019 election and “we are not going to change our position to get to a level of profound irresponsibility [on policy], like the government”, he tells Guardian Australia’s politics podcast.
“Our position on climate is unshakeable.”……..
he also thinks it is possible Scott Morrison will shift on climate during the coming term, particularly if the Australian community remains vocal on the issue, and business also continues to demand policy certainty to allow it to deal with carbon risk. He says for people who want practical climate action, as opposed to rhetoric, bipartisanship remains “the holy grail”.
Butler says Morrison is not Malcolm Turnbull on climate, and not Tony Abbott, but somewhere in the middle. He suspects the prime minister has no “deep beliefs” on the issue, but that could enable him to pivot to a more plausible policy position in the event he makes a judgment that climate change is harming the electoral prospects of the Coalition. Perhaps Morrison, he says, can take “some baby steps to break down the culture war”.
…….. Butler says all the survey evidence he has seen indicates Australian voters are alarmed by the lack of policy action on climate change, and the issue rates second behind concerns about cost of living pressure. He says he is “utterly convinced” that public opinion in favour of action is “broad, deep and growing”.
Politicians, he says, need to be particularly aware that young people are hugely motivated on climate change. Butler has teenaged children and meets regularly with young activists.
“If we get to 2030 with the level of inertia we’ve had over the last decade, then we have profoundly let down our children and grandchildren”. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/21/labors-climate-policies-are-unshakeable-despite-election-loss-mark-butler-says?fbclid=IwAR0EPtILqei1clnBN_uRzHHflc-m2HBdcrvmQ3E9SUt0A3JkunlqKVc08Sk
Donald Trump talks gibberish about nuclear weapons then announces trip to Mars
Donald Trump talks gibberish about nuclear weapons then announces trip to Mars Jimmy McCloskey, Metro UK 20 Sep 2019 Donald Trump spouted a stream of gibberish about the US’s nuclear arsenal at a press conference Friday. The President of the United States told reporters at the White House: ‘Nobody can beat us militarily. No-one can even come close. ‘Our nuclear was getting very tired..Now we have it in, as we would say, tippy-top shape. ‘Tippy top. We have new and we have renovated and it’s incredible. We all should pray we never have to use it.’ Trump was speaking in response to questions about the US’s military capability amid increasing tensions between America and Iran…….
to send US astronauts to Mars on Friday – and said they’d be stopping off on the moon en route. Speaking at the joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Trump said: ‘We’re going to Mars.Australian Workers Union join National Party’s push for nuclear power
Nuclear energy: Nationals MPs welcome AWU support for domestic industry Union to tell parliamentary committee it’s ‘ludicrous’ to export uranium but not benefit from the energy source at home. Guardian, Sarah Martin 20 Sept 19, Nationals MPs have welcomed support from the Australian Workers’ Union for a domestic nuclear industry, as the union calls on progressives not to reject a “zero carbon compromise”.
A House of Representatives committee chaired by Barnaby Joyce will hear from the union during a roundtable discussion in Sydney on Friday, before MPs visit the Lucas Heights nuclear facility for a site visit…….
The AWU national secretary, Dan Walton, said that while he accepted that the Labor party had already expressed opposition to nuclear, there were people on both sides of politics who were stuck in old ideological debates over the issue. …….
The potential for Australia’s nuclear ban to be lifted has been revived since the May election after a group of Nationals lobbied for the issue to be revisited by a parliamentary inquiry.
Following a referral from the energy minister, Angus Taylor, in August, the environment and energy committee is conducting an inquiry into the “prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia”.
At the same time, Joyce has tasked his lower house committee to also look at the issue through a series of roundtable events. Taylor has said that while there are no plans to drop the existing moratorium on nuclear energy, the government’s role was to plan for the decades ahead.
The resources minister, Matt Canavan, a senior Nationals senator from Queensland, said the AWU’s view was welcome as the debate over nuclear continued.
“I welcome the AWU’s contribution,” he told Guardian Australia. “It will, of course, need support from a broad range of organisations, including the Labor party, to progress nuclear power…..
The Nationals MP for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, said that there could be no change to Australia’s current position on nuclear without bipartisan support……
Support for a domestic nuclear industry also appears to be gathering pace within the Coalition, with two new government senators, South Australian Alex Antic and NT National Sam McMahon, both using their first speeches to parliament this week to back the technology……
The union’s support will likely buoy conservative supporters of nuclear who are hoping the twin inquiries into the issue will be sufficient to win a change to government policy.
Ziggy Switkowski, who headed a 2006 review of nuclear power for the Howard government, told the environment committee that the technology had no chance of being introduced unless Australia had a coherent energy policy.
He also said that it would take about a decade before it was clear whether small nuclear reactors were suitable for Australia, and about 15 years to bring a plant online if a decision was made to build one.
The Australian Nuclear Association, which advocates for nuclear science and technology, has said nuclear power could provide cheap, reliable, carbon-free energy in Australia, but would only be financially competitive with a carbon price.
In a group submission released this week environmental and civil society groups warned the government that nuclear power has “no role” in Australia, saying the issue was a distraction from “real movement on the pressing energy decisions and climate actions we need”. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/20/nuclear-energy-nationals-mps-welcome-awu-support-for-domestic-industry
September 20 Energy News — geoharvey
Science and Technology: ¶ “Storing Energy In Compressed Air Could Finally Become Cheap Enough For The Big Time” • Hydrostor uses excess energy to compress air and store it in a container. Then, to recover the energy, run the trapped air through a turbine that generates power. It has developed the technology to the point […]
The world is burning, and all Australia has is a big stick — RenewEconomy
The world is burning, and Australia is doing nothing but waving a big stick. No wonder the kids have gone on strike. The post The world is burning, and all Australia has is a big stick appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via The world is burning, and all Australia has is a big stick — RenewEconomy
How the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity target is saving households cash — RenewEconomy
ACT has demonstrated how turning to renewables can slash emissions, and protect customers from soaring electricity prices. The post How the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity target is saving households cash appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via How the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity target is saving households cash — RenewEconomy
Climate strikes: Do we choose extinction? Or do we choose to fight it? — RenewEconomy
We know how to fix this problem and we know we can afford to do so. Now it’s time to decide. The post Climate strikes: Do we choose extinction? Or do we choose to fight it? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Climate strikes: Do we choose extinction? Or do we choose to fight it? — RenewEconomy
Antinuclear 