20 July Parliamentary hearing of Nuclear Committee – public can attend
Next hearing of South Australia Joint Committee on Findings of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission
Wednesday, 20 July 9am – Parliament House
Giving evidence –
9.00am – DemocracyCo (convenors of the Citizens’ Juries)
Chief Executive Officers: Ms Emma Lawson Ms Emily Jenke
Members of the public wishing to attend may report to reception in Centre Hall of
Parliament House and they will be escorted to the meeting room. See: http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=2&CId=333
Join Aboriginal organisations in supporting Tanzanians against uranium mining
for a few years now some Australian ENGO’s and Aboriginal organisations have been supporting Tanzanian efforts against uranium mining.
Much of this has focussed on the planned Mkuju River project – started by the Australian junior Mantra Resources and since sold to the Russian ARMZ – a subsidiary of Rosatom.
Mkuju River is inside the Selous (Sea-Lou) Game Reserve – Tanzania’s largest protected area.
Selous was listed as World Heritage in Danger in 2014 because of the impacts of poaching, uranium mining, dams and other industrial activities.
At the upcoming session of the World Heritage Committee 10 – 20 July 2016 in Istanbul – there is a growing civil society push for the protection of World Heritage sites.
WWF has a petition happening to keep a focus on Selous – its focus is largely poaching and wildlife conservation – its outcome would also be a roadblock for uranium mining plans.
https://makeyourmark.panda.org/uk/selous
If you do such things then please sign and promote – we all know all the world is special, but this is a special place – and a brave bunch of resisters….
1 – 3 July – Lizard Bites Back festival at Olympic Damn Uranium Mine
The Lizards Bites Back music and arts festival and protest camp will take place at the gates of the Olympic Dam uranium mine (or close by) from the 1st – 3rd of July this year. The “protestival” will include a variety of musicians and artists from around the country, mobile artworks, workshops on nuclear issues, non-violent direct action, and the message that there is strong community opposition to uranium mining and any expansion of the nuclear fuel chain in South Australia, from BHP Billiton’s planned heap leach demonstration plant to current proposals for South Australia to host a nuclear waste dump. The event will run entirely on solar and wind power.
The entire nuclear fuel chain from mining to nuclear waste dumps poses unique health and environmental risks that span generations. With South Australia currently facing two proposals for nuclear waste dumps The Lizard Bites Back will re-focus on the source of the problem, highlighting an absurd global situation where we continue to mine a mineral that we cannot dispose of safely, whilst proposals are again being made to force nuclear waste dumps on communities that do not want them. The Olympic Dam mine itself will also eventually become a dump – in the sense that once it is closed, it will leave millions of tonnes of radioactive tailings on the surface of the land forever.
Uranium mining is the beginning of the nuclear fuel chain, and the problem of the long term storage of radioactive waste remains unresolved. Until the industry and governments stop creating nuclear waste by mining uranium, operating nuclear reactors and making nuclear weapons, why should any community bear the health and environmental risks associated with a nuclear waste dump? The government’s current approach mops up the bathroom floor whilst the tap is still running.
A responsible approach to managing nuclear waste would begin with stopping its production. An environmentally and socially just approach would stop targeting Aboriginal lands as sacrifice zones.
The Lizard Bites Back follows on from the Lizards Revenge in July 2012, which mobilised 500 people against the proposed expansion of the mine. Since then, that proposal has been shelved and the company has been investigating heap leach mining as part of a cheaper expansion plan. BHP is projected to begin a heap leach trial on the current mining lease by late this year. Even though this technique is not currently used on-site, Federal approval of the trial did not require environmental assessment.
Please see below for a summary of the issues. Continue reading
Nuclear Question sent to all Australian Labor Politicians and Candidates
This email has now been sent to all
Sender’s address, and date- 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.
Labor politicians and candidates: question them on nuclear policy!
SAMPLE EMAIL
It is best to send emails or letters in your own words. However, here’s an example anyway.
- 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.
Hon Anthony Byrne MP – MP for Holt Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9796 7533
Hon Ms Lisa Chesters MP – for Bendigo Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055
Hon Michael Danby MP – Melbourne Ports – Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9534 8126
Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP – for Isaacs – mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au
Hon David Feeney – for Batman david.feeney@australianlabor.com.au
Hon Andrew Giles for Scullin – Andrew.Giles@vic.alp.org.au (03) 9404 1911
Hon Catherine King MP for Ballarat Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au 03) 5338 8123
Hon Jenny Macklin – for Jagajaga no email.(03) 9459 1411Richard Marles- for Coria richard.marles.mp@aph.gov.au 03) 5221 3033
Brendan O’Connor for Gorton Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 8390 6166
Clare O’Neil – for Hotham Clare.ONeil.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9545 6211
Ms Joanne Ryan- for Lalor – no email (03) 9742 5800
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP – for Calwell Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9367 5216
Mr Tim Watts MP for Gellibrand http://www.timwatts.net.au/Contact/Contact-Info (03)9687 7661
SENATORS VICTORIA
Senator the Hon Kim Carr senator.carr@aph.gov.au (03) 9639 2798
Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contact_Senator_or_Member?MPID=GB6
03) 9890 7022
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy senator.conroy@aph.gov.au (03) 9391 4952
Senator Gavin Marshall senator.marshall@aph.gov.au (03) 9348 9699
CANDIDATES VICTORIA
Chris Buckingham for McMillan Chris.Buckingham@vic.alp.org.au 0405 518 057
Paul Klisaris – for Ashton paul.klisaris@vic.alp.org.au 0412 516 026
Hovig Melkonian – for Casey hovigmelkonian@australianlabor.com.au 0459 959 095
Stefanie Perri – for Chisholm stefanie.perri@australianlabor.com.au (03) 9544 2192
Shashi Bhatti – for Gippsland https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Shashi%2BBhatti/keywords_top
Carl Katter – for Higgins carl@carlkatter.com 0432 507 140
Libby Coker, for Corangamite, libby.coker@libbycoker.com.au 0400 267 288
Matthew Coote – for Goldstein matthew.coote@vic.alp.org.au 0435 496 625
Tony Clark – for Deakin (03) 8819 0398 http://tonyclark.net.au/Contact
Simon Curtis for Latrobe simon.curtis@vic.alp.org.au 0400 174 155
Marg D’Arcy marg@margdarcy.com 0409859046
Sophie Ismail for Melbourne sophie4melbourne@gmail.com 0474 014 540
Eric Kerr – for Indi Eric.Kerr@vic.alp.org.au
Peta Murphy – for Dunkley 0468 778 143 peta.murphy@vic.alp.org.au
Carolyn Gleixner – for Flinders carolyngleixneralp@gmail.com (03) 5989 0537
Adam Rundell for Menzies Adam.Rundell@vic.alp.org.au
Lydia Senior – for Mallee lydia@lydiasenior.com.au 0447 133 893
Alan Williams for Murray Alan.Williams@vic.alp.org.au
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.- 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.
EMAIL ADDRESSES OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Federal MPs and candidates
Glen Dallimore – for Mayo glen.dallimore@alp.org.au 0498 163 283
Matt Loader for Sturt matt.loader@alp.org.au 0481 873 654
Scott Martin for Grey scott.martin@alp.org.au 0497 749 663
Steve Georganas for Hindmarsh steve.georganas@alp.org.au 0499 257 333
Mat O’Brien for Barker mat.obrien@alp.org.au 0458 641 452
Mark Ward for Boothby mark.ward@alp.org.au 0474 910 567
Candidates for Senate
Michael Allison michael.allison@alp.org.au
ACTION!!!!! Please do this!!!! Write a Letter to your Labor Member….
Now more than ever Labor’s position on uranium is important in the campaign to stop uranium mining. There has been some good strong public statements from Labor over the years about their position against uranium mining, a position that is not only environmentally responsible but is also economically sound given the very low uranium price. They are under constant pressure to change their position – a letter from you saying that you are anti uranium mining and asking them to tell you their position on uranium will help. Please write and send a letter to your local WA Labor members electorate address. http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/memblist.nsf/wallmembers
TAKE ACTION: Sign the Uranium Free Charter
Western Australians face a choice about uranium mining. The current push to allow uranium mining is a direct threat to workers’ safety and the long term health of our environment and communities. Uranium mining does not make good economic sense and leaves behind a radioactive legacy.
http://www.ccwa.org.au/uraniumfreecharter
Friends of the Earth tracking the progress of South Australia’s Royal Commission into Nuclear Expansion
SA Royal Commission into Nuclear Expansion http://www.foe.org.au/royal-commission
This webpage will track the progress of the South Australian Royal Commission, established by the South Australian government in February 2015 to examine options to expand the state’s involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Quick links:
- The Commission’s website is: http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/
- Summary of ‘Tentative Findings’ of SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission (PDF)
- March 2016: Submission by the Conservation Council of SA, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Earth, Australia responding to the Royal Commission’s Tentative Findings report (PDF)
- August 2015: Main submission to the Royal Commission by the Conservation Council of SA, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Earth, Australia (PDF)
- Australia Institute, March 2016, ‘Digging for Answers’, report on economics of plan to import thousands of tonnes of spent fuel / high-level nuclear waste (PDF)
- Australia Institute, February 2016, ‘The Impossible Dream’, report on the silly plan, rejected by the Royal Commission, for South Australia to build Generation IV reactors (PDF)
- December 2015: A Critique of the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, written by Dr Jim Green and Dr Philip White on behalf of the Conservation Council of SA, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Earth, Australia. To download the report click here (PDF) or to read online click here.
Adelaide: opportunity to question Nick Xenophon on his nuclear waste (lack of) policy
If anyone wants to ask Nick Xenophon why he doesn’t oppose nuclear dumps in any part of SA, here’s your chance if you are in Adelaide week after next.
POLITICS IN THE PUB
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Join Senator Nick Xenophon, Joe Hill, candidate for Adelaide and Daniel Kirk, candidate for Hindmarsh, for an evening of lively conversation in one Adelaide’s best pokie free pubs.
Free entry – all welcome.
RSVP: Joe Hill – joe.hill@nxt.org.au or 0438 894 863
Daniel Kirk – daniel.kirk@nxt.org.au or 0421 692 835
FORUM: Nuclear Waste Dump – the Wrong WAy for South Australia
South Australia has become a magnet for nuclear waste. The Federal Government wants the Flinders Ranges to host a national nuclear waste dump and the State Government is considering opening up our State for an international high level radioactive waste dump. What’s going on here? Are they mad?
I’m hosting a public forum on Thursday June 9th so you can hear the side of the debate that is largely being ignored.
Come along to hear three influential Australians expose the hype and untangle the spin. Take part in the Q&A session immediately following the presentations.
SPEAKERS
Senator Scott Ludlam – Greens Senator for Western Australia and federal party spokesperson on nuclear issues
Dr Jillian Marsh – Adnyamathanha Traditional Owner, Recipient of the Nuclear-Free Future Award 2008
Roderick Campbell – Economist and Director of Research, The Australia Institute
WHEN: Thursday June 9th, 2016 at 7pm – 8:30pm
WHERE: The German Club, 223 Flinders St, Adelaide, SA 5000
This is a free event but seats are limited so please RSVP by clicking here. All are welcome so please extend this invitation to your family and friends. Continue reading
24 May – NUCLEAR FRONTLINES: THE POLITICS OF RADIOACTIVE RACISM
NUCLEAR FRONTLINES: THE POLITICS OF RADIOACTIVE RACISM
Tuesday May 24, 2016: 6pm to 7.30pm
Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote.
Guest speakers include Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners Regina and Vivianne McKenzie, whose land in SA’s Flinders Ranges is being targeted for a national nuclear waste dump. Learn about their struggle and what we can do to help. For background info and to watch short video statements by Regina and Vivianne, please visit www.foe.org.au/waste.
Other issues will include nuclear policies in the context of the upcoming federal election; the plan to turn Australia into the world’s nuclear waste dump; and the use of nuclear medicine as a propaganda tool by industry and governments.
Speakers:
Regina McKenzie | Adnyamathanha, SA
Vivianne McKenzie | Adnyamathanha, SA
Alex Bhathal | Federal Greens candidate for Batman
Dr Margie Beavis | Medical Association for Prevention of War
Dr Jim Green | Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org.au/waste)
MC: Dave Sweeney | Australian Conservation Foundation
Bookings (not essential): http://goo.gl/kHOizT
Contact: ace@foe.org.au,
International solidarity with indigenous peoples against nuclear waste dumping
If you’re from the United States, then this whole ordeal should sound somewhat familiar.
According to the Scientific American, “[n]ative tribes across the American West have been and continue to be subjected to significant amounts of radioactive and otherwise hazardous waste as a result of living near nuclear test sites, uranium mines, power plants and toxic waste dumps.”
Take Action!
The final decision for the nuclear dumping site will occur in a year, please act now by signing and sharing this petition urging Australian leaders not to dump nuclear waste near Adnyamathanha territory.
Stop Australia From Committing “Cultural Genocide” and Environmental Injustice http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36006-stop-australia-from-committing-cultural-genocide-and-environmental-injustice, 14 May 2016 By Jessica Ramos, Care2 | Report Australia is about to make a horrible mistake. The country has (at least, tentatively) earmarked the location of its first nuclear dumping site next to an aboriginal cultural site. And the aboriginal community is speaking out — calling the proposed site “cultural genocide.” Australia is on the path to repeating the United States’ past mistakes and environmental injustices.
Can You Put a Price on Cultural Genocide and Death? Yes, Apparently
The traditional lands at the center of the controversy belong to the Adnyamathanha, also known as the “rock people,” from Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In 2009, the Federal Court of Australia recognized the Adnyamathanha’s native rights over 16,000 square miles of territory. But a nuclear dumping site of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste (e.g. from medical procedures) endangers their territory and legal rights. Continue reading
Mapuche Aboriginal Struggles for Indigenous Land (MASIL) | Chuffed
https://www.chuffed.org/project/MASIL2016
“In November this year, the first phase of the Mapuche Aboriginal Struggles for Indigenous Land (MASIL) Exchange will take place, in which Aboriginal and Mapuche activists will join together with Indigenous representatives from Aotearoa/NZ, Bolivia and Canada, hosted by the Mapuche community of Temukuikui in the South of Chile, for two weeks of exchange, sharing, discussion, inspiration and building solidarity.
The Mapuche Aboriginal Struggles for Indigenous Land (MASIL) Exchange is a historic event, which aims to:
• To establish face to face contact and dialogue and build links between Indigenous communities protecting their lands.
• To document all the work that is carried out and to produce a documentary of approximately 60 minutes duration,
for distribution in Australia and internationally.
As well as donating, a great way for you to support the MASIL Exchange is to support and spread it on social media! … ”
– Campaign:
Indigenous Communities Campaign
Mapuche-Aboriginal Struggles for Indigenous Land (MASIL) Project
“The MASIL Project aims to initiate and drive a cultural and historic exchange between
Mapuche Indigenous communities in Chile/Argentina and First Nations peoples in Australia.”
https://foeausmapuche.wordpress.com/about-2/
South Australian groups launch No Dump Alliance
SA groups launch No Dump Alliance in response to nuclear Royal Commission findings
WHAT: No Dump Alliance media launch
WHEN: Today, Monday 16 May, 2016
TIME: Midday
WHERE: Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide
Following the recommendation of the Nuclear Royal Commission to pursue a high level nuclear waste dump in SA, Traditional Owners and representatives from health, union, faith, and conservation groups, and other prominent South Australians have responded by launching the ‘No Dump Alliance.’
These Groups have signed a Statement of Concern that focuses on the following key issues:
- · Lack of respect for Traditional Owners
- · The legacy for future generations
- · Public health and environment impact
- · Financial risks
For a copy of the statement and further information about the Alliance, go to: www.nodumpalliance.org.au Continue reading
1 This month
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
– go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com/
Antinuclear 