The people and environment of South Australia must be protected from Federal imposed storage of AUKUS High-Level nuclear waste:
by David Noonan Independent Environment Campaigner 10 Nov 2025.
South Australians have a Right to Say No to undemocratic Federal imposed storage of AUKUS
High Level nuclear waste in our State. All Federal MPs & Senators from SA, Members of the SA
Parliament and candidates for the SA State Election on 21st March should declare their position:
Q: Will you accept or reject Federal imposed storage of AUKUS nuclear waste in SA?
The Federal Government quietly took up new AUKUS Regulations (2 Oct) as powers to impose
AUKUS wastes by override of State laws that prohibit nuclear waste storage in SA, NT and WA.
AUKUS Regulation 111 “State and Territory laws that do not apply in relation to a regulated
activity” names and prescribes our SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000. The
Objects of this key SA Law set out what is at stake: “To protect the health, safety and welfare
of the people of SA, and the environment in which they live” from nuclear waste storage.
Federal Labor’s draconian powers to compromise public health, safety and welfare protections
in SA Law, lacks social licence, are an affront to civil society, and damages trust in governance.
This is also a threat to Indigenous People with a cultural responsibility to protect their country.
Community expects our State Labor Government to give a clear State Election commitment to
protect SA from the risks and impacts of untenable and illegal AUKUS High Level nuclear waste
storage, see “The lethal legacy of Aukus nuclear submarines will remain for millennia – and
there’s no plan to deal with it” (The Guardian, 10 August 2025, interview with Prof Ian Lowe).
Labor has a further key leadership test ahead of our Election: to commit to support Indigenous
People’s human rights, set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Article 29 (UNDRIP 2007), to “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” over storage of
hazardous materials on their lands. AUKUS wastes absolutely are hazardous materials!
a Question for Premier Peter Malinauskas: Will you respect and support Indigenous Peoples
Rights to Say No to Federal siting of AUKUS nuclear waste storage on their country in SA?
Call for full disclosure on a N-waste siting process after Labor breaks its commitment:
The public has a Right to Know what regions are being targeted for storage of High-Level
nuclear wastes. A secretive ongoing Defence review “to identify potential nuclear waste
disposal sites” (ABC News March 2023) must be made public ahead of the SA State Election.
AUKUS Minister Marles has broken his commitment to announce a process by early 2024 to
identify a site to dispose of AUKUS High-Level nuclear wastes. The failure by Defence to set out
any process – other than to take up powers to impose nuclear wastes – is unacceptable.
REPORTER: Is a high-level nuclear waste dump the price that South Australia will have to pay
for the jobs that go to the state? (Minister Marles Press Conference 14 March 2023)
MARLES: Well, as I indicated there will be a process that we will determine within the next 12
months for how the site will be identified. You’ve made a leap there, which we’re not going to
make for some time. It will be a while before a site is ultimately identified. But we will within the
next 12 months establish a process for how we walk down that path.
It is now over 4 years since Federal Labor agreed with Morrison’s AUKUS nuclear sub agenda.
SA Labor to let ‘national security interests’ decide siting for AUKUS nuclear waste?
National press reported the Woomera Area to be a ‘favoured location’ for storage and disposal
of nuclear sub wastes back in August 2023 (“Woomera looms as national nuclear waste dump
site including for AUKUS submarine high-level waste afr.com). WA, Qld and Vic political leaders
have rejected a High-Level nuclear waste disposal site in their States, with WA suggesting the
Woomera Prohibited Area in SA: “would be one obvious location within the Defence estate,
however, we will await the outcomes of the federal review” (SMH 15 March 2023).
Premier Malinauskas has so far only said AUKUS nuclear waste should go to a ‘remote’ location
in the “national security interest” (see “Site for high-level nuclear waste dump under AUKUS
deal must be in national interest, SA premier says” ABC News 15 March 2023).
The Premier’s “Office for AUKUS” (Letter, 7 Oct 2025) accepts “safe and secure disposal” of
High-Level nuclear waste, including spent fuel, produced when subs are decommissioned. The
Office says no decision has been made on a location but declines to reveal what is underway,
expresses no concerns over unprecedented nuclear waste storage or ‘social license’, and
expects “community acceptance” (in SA?) for a nuclear ‘disposal solution’:
“I can confirm that no decision has been made on a location within Australia for the
disposal of intermediate, or high-level radioactive waste from nuclear-powered
submarines. Determining suitable locations and methods for safe and secure disposal
will take time, but Australia will do so in a manner that sets the highest standards … and
which builds community acceptance for a disposal solution.”
SA is left in the dark, without a say, as an ongoing target for an AUKUS nuclear waste dump.
AUKUS is to store US origin nuclear wastes from 2nd hand Virginia Class subs in Australia:
AUKUS aims Australia take on second-hand US Virginia Class nuclear powered subs in the early
2030’s loaded with up to a dozen years of US origin military High-Level nuclear waste and fissile
Atomic-Bomb fuel accrued in operations of US Navy High Enriched Uranium nuclear reactors.
Swapping an Australian flag onto this US military nuclear reactor waste places an untenable ‘for
ever’ burden on all future generations to have to cope these US nuclear wastes.
Scenario: an AUKUS nuclear dump imposed on SA, High-Level military waste shipped into
Whyalla Port to go north, nuclear subs to be ‘decommissioned’ at Osborne Port Adelaide.
Whyalla Port is back on a nuclear waste target range. How else could AUKUS nuclear waste get
to a storage site in north SA? The Woomera Area is expected to be on a regional short list for an
AUKUS dump, requiring nuclear waste transport routes across SA. Port Adelaide community has
a Right to Say No to nuclear decommissioning plans for expanded Osborne submarine yards.
SA politicians must protect SA and rule out both an untenable AUKUS nuclear dump and
decommissioning nuclear subs and nuclear reactors at Osborne or else-where in SA.
SA must respect Traditional Owners Human Rights to Say No to imposition of nuclear wastes.
The SA public have Rights to full disclosure and for politicians to have to declare their positions,
We need an informed public debate ahead of our State Election. Silence by our political leaders, while a path is paved toward nuclear decisions, makes a nuclear waste dump future more likely.
Info: see Rex Patrick & “AUKUS waste in perpetuity”, and David Noonan in Pearls and Irritations
Solar and wind reach 100 pct of demand in biggest isolated grid, as batteries allow it to keep its thermals on.
Solar and wind reached a remarkable new milestone in Western Australia’s
isolated grid over the weekend, reaching 100 per cent of demand at various
occasions on Sunday morning, as the state’s growing fleet of batteries
allowed coal and gas generators to keep running in the background. The W.A.
grid, with no links to other states, is becoming a fascinating focal point
for the green energy transition, largely because of the huge impact of
rooftop solar and the high levels of variable renewables seen on almost a
daily basis.
Renew Economy 2nd Dec 2025, https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-and-wind-reach-100-pct-of-demand-in-biggest-isolated-grid-as-batteries-allow-it-to-keep-its-thermals-on/
South Australia averages 100 pct wind and solar over week, 90 pct over last 28 days
South Australia – the country’s most advanced renewables grid – has
average more than 100 per cent net renewables (compared to state demand)
over the past week, and more than 90 per cent renewables over the last 28
days. It is not the first time that South Australia has reached 100 per
cent renewables – it has done so previously over the Christmas/New Year
period – but it marks a significant milestone, given that its mix of
renewables is made up entirely of variable wind and solar, and with no
hydro or even biomass to speak of.
Renew Economy 2nd Dec 2025, https://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australia-averages-100-pct-wind-and-solar-over-week-90-pct-over-last-28-days/
Australia’s most advanced renewable grid is its most secure, but NSW must scramble as it nears “no coal” scenario.
South Australia, the most advanced renewable grid in the country and even
the world – thanks to its unrivalled near 75 per cent share of wind and
solar – is also the most secure, according to a major new report on the
state of the energy transition.
The Transition Plan for System Security,
published on Monday by the Australian Energy Market Operator, identifies
South Australia as the only state grid which is not facing a system
strength deficit in coming years.
That’s largely because South Australia
went first, and it went hard and fast. Its last coal fired power station
closed in 2016, and because it has such a high percentage of wind and
solar, as well as rooftop PV, it has had to deal with the issues around
frequency control, inertia and system strength before other states. South
Australia, the most advanced renewable grid in the country and even the
world – thanks to its unrivalled near 75 per cent share of wind and solar
– is also the most secure, according to a major new report on the state
of the energy transition.
When the new transmission link to NSW is complete in 2027, South Australia will
be the first in the world to be able to run its gigawatt scale grid at
times with “engines off” – i.e. no gas plant required for bulk power
or system security – as it nears or even achieves its target of reaching
100 per cent net renewables.
Renew Economy 1st Dec 2025, https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-most-advanced-renewable-grid-is-its-most-secure-but-nsw-must-scramble-as-it-nears-no-coal-scenario/
The people and environment of South Australia must be protected from Federal imposed storage of AUKUS High-Level nuclear waste
Brief by David Noonan Independent Environment Campaigner 10 Nov 2025. https://nuclear.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Noonan-AUKUS-nuclear-wastes-target-SA-Briefer-9-Nov-2025.pdf
South Australians have a Right to Say No to undemocratic Federal imposed storage of AUKUS
High Level nuclear waste in our State. All Federal MPs & Senators from SA, Members of the SA
Parliament and candidates for the SA State Election on 21st March should declare their position:
Q: Will you accept or reject Federal imposed storage of AUKUS nuclear waste in SA?
The Federal Government quietly took up new AUKUS Regulations (2 Oct) as powers to impose
AUKUS wastes by override of State laws that prohibit nuclear waste storage in SA, NT and WA.
AUKUS Regulation 111 “State and Territory laws that do not apply in relation to a regulated
activity” names and prescribes our SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000. The
Objects of this key SA Law set out what is at stake: “To protect the health, safety and welfare
of the people of SA, and the environment in which they live” from nuclear waste storage.
Federal Labor’s draconian powers to compromise public health, safety and welfare protections. n SA Law, lacks social licence, are an affront to civil society, and damages trust in governance.
This is also a threat to Indigenous People with a cultural responsibility to protect their country.
Community expects our State Labor Government to give a clear State Election commitment to
protect SA from the risks and impacts of untenable and illegal AUKUS High Level nuclear waste
storage, see “The lethal legacy of Aukus nuclear submarines will remain for millennia – and
there’s no plan to deal with it” (The Guardian, 10 August 2025, interview with Prof Ian Lowe).
Labor has a further key leadership test ahead of our Election: to commit to support Indigenous
People’s human rights, set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Article 29 (UNDRIP 2007), to “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” over storage of
hazardous materials on their lands. AUKUS wastes absolutely are hazardous materials!
a Question for Premier Peter Malinauskas: Will you respect and support Indigenous Peoples
Rights to Say No to Federal siting of AUKUS nuclear waste storage on their country in SA?
Call for full disclosure on a N-waste siting process after Labor breaks its commitment:
The public has a Right to Know what regions are being targeted for storage of High-Level
nuclear wastes. A secretive ongoing Defence review “to identify potential nuclear waste
disposal sites” (ABC News March 2023) must be made public ahead of the SA State Election.
AUKUS Minister Marles has broken his commitment to announce a process by early 2024 to
identify a site to dispose of AUKUS High-Level nuclear wastes. The failure by Defence to set out
any process – other than to take up powers to impose nuclear wastes – is unacceptable.
REPORTER: Is a high-level nuclear waste dump the price that South Australia will have to pay
for the jobs that go to the state? (Minister Marles Press Conference 14 March 2023)
MARLES: Well, as I indicated there will be a process that we will determine within the next 12
months for how the site will be identified. You’ve made a leap there, which we’re not going to
make for some time. It will be a while before a site is ultimately identified. But we will within the
next 12 months establish a process for how we walk down that path.
It is now over 4 years since Federal Labor agreed with Morrison’s AUKUS nuclear sub agenda.
SA Labor to let ‘national security interests’ decide siting for AUKUS nuclear waste?
National press reported the Woomera Area to be a ‘favoured location’ for storage and disposal
of nuclear sub wastes back in August 2023 (“Woomera looms as national nuclear waste dump
site including for AUKUS submarine high-level waste afr.com). WA, Qld and Vic political leaders
have rejected a High-Level nuclear waste disposal site in their States, with WA suggesting the
Woomera Prohibited Area in SA: “would be one obvious location within the Defence estate,
however, we will await the outcomes of the federal review” (SMH 15 March 2023).
Premier Malinauskas has so far only said AUKUS nuclear waste should go to a ‘remote’ location
in the “national security interest” (see “Site for high-level nuclear waste dump under AUKUS
deal must be in national interest, SA premier says” ABC News 15 March 2023).
The Premier’s “Office for AUKUS” (Letter, 7 Oct 2025) accepts “safe and secure disposal” of
High-Level nuclear waste, including spent fuel, produced when subs are decommissioned. The
Office says no decision has been made on a location but declines to reveal what is underway,
expresses no concerns over unprecedented nuclear waste storage or‘social license’, and
expects “community acceptance” (in SA?) for a nuclear ‘disposal solution’:
“I can confirm that no decision has been made on a location within Australia for the
disposal of intermediate, or high-level radioactive waste from nuclear-powered
submarines. Determining suitable locations and methods for safe and secure disposal
will take time, but Australia will do so in a manner that sets the highest standards … and
which builds community acceptance for a disposal solution.”
SA is left in the dark, without a say, as an ongoing target for an AUKUS nuclear waste dump.
AUKUS is to store US origin nuclear wastes from 2nd hand Virginia Class subs in Australia:
AUKUS aims Australia take on second-hand US Virginia Class nuclear powered subs in the early
2030’s loaded with up to a dozen years of US origin military High-Level nuclear waste and fissile
Atomic-Bomb fuel accrued in operations of US Navy High Enriched Uranium nuclear reactors.
Swapping an Australian flag onto this US military nuclear reactor waste places an untenable ‘for
ever’ burden on all future generations to have to cope these US nuclear wastes.
Scenario: an AUKUS nuclear dump imposed on SA, High-Level military waste shipped into
Whyalla Port to go north, nuclear subs to be ‘decommissioned’ at Osborne Port Adelaide.
Whyalla Port is back on a nuclear waste target range. How else could AUKUS nuclear waste get
to a storage site in north SA? The Woomera Area is expected to be on a regional short list for an
AUKUS dump, requiring nuclear waste transport routes across SA. Port Adelaide community has
a Right to Say No to nuclear decommissioning plans for expanded Osborne submarine yards.
SA politicians must protect SA and rule out both an untenable AUKUS nuclear dump and
decommissioning nuclear subs and nuclear reactors at Osborne or else-where in SA.
SA must respect Traditional Owners Human Rights to Say No to imposition of nuclear wastes.
The SA public have Rights to full disclosure and for politicians to have to declare their positions,
We need an informed public debate ahead of our State Election. Silence by our political leaders,
while a path is paved toward nuclear decisions, makes a nuclear waste dump future more likely.
Info: see Rex Patrick & “AUKUS waste in perpetuity”, and David Noonan in Pearls and Irritations.
Australian Capital Territory went first and fastest to 100 per cent renewables: It now looks like the smartest policy of all
The ACT government continues to reap the rewards for its early and bold
push to 100 per cent renewables, which is now looking like the smartest
policy of all – shielding its residents from the ravages of largely
fossil-fuelled electricity price hikes.
The latest quarterly data assessing
the cost of the ACT government’s commitment to sourcing the equivalent of
its annual demand from wind and solar – which it met on schedule in 2020
– shows the additional cost of the policy in the latest quarter was just
$3 a megawatt hour. Indeed, three of the wind farms contracted by the ACT
government returned significant sums of money (a total of $4.4 million) to
the ACT because the contract prices they agreed to are significantly lower
than current wholesale electricity prices.
Renew Economy 8th Oct 2025, https://reneweconomy.com.au/act-went-first-and-fastest-to-100-per-cent-renewables-it-now-looks-like-the-smartest-policy-of-all/
South Australia unveils first auction as world’s most advanced renewables grid seeks long duration storage
The South Australia state government has appointed ASL to run its first
auction for long duration storage, as the world’s most advanced wind and
solar grid seeks around 700 MW of new firm capacity over the next six
years.
South Australia leads the world in the uptake of wind and solar –
which together accounted for 75 per cent of its local electricity demand
over the last 12 months – and has set a world-leading target of reaching
100 per cent “net” renewables by the end of 2027. It already has seven
big battery projects operating in the state, and another dozen under
construction or contracted, but it is now seeking longer duration storage
through the Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM) that it announced
earlier this year.
Renew Economy 8th Oct 2025,
https://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australia-unveils-first-auction-as-worlds-most-advanced-renewables-grid-seeks-long-duration-storage/
Opposition to proposed nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla
September 25, 2025 , by David Clark, https://www.wavefm.com.au/local-news/opposition-to-proposed-nuclear-submarine-base-at-port-kembla/
Forty local organisations and community groups are launching a joint Port Kembla Declaration today, opposing the establishment of a nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla.
They’re calling for the federal government to rule it out, saying the risks are far too great, the declaration has been endorsed by many organisations, including health, faith, and social justice.
Tina Smith, President of the South Coast Labour Council, said they reject the idea of turning the region into a frontline for war games or nuclear escalation.
In Alice Springs everyone has an opinion on the Pine Gap spy base, but no-one wants to talk about what happens inside.
I wanted to hear from the traditional owners of the Arrernte land it was built on, and from the spies tasked with finding targets in Afghanistan and Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism. But how do you investigate something as secretive as Pine Gap when everyone who works there has made a promise never to talk about what they do?
serious claims being made that intelligence gathered at the facility was being used in the Israel-Gaza war.
By Alex Barwick for Backstory, Thu 16 May 2024. https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2024-05-16/backstory-expanse-podcast-spies-in-the-outback-pine-gap-barwick/103844652
In journalism, it’s often politicians who won’t answer your questions.
But in my outback town, it’s just as likely to be the neighbours who won’t, or rather can’t, answer this basic conversation starter: “So, what do you do at work?”
That’s because about 800 of the town’s 25,000 residents are employed at the most secretive intelligence facility in Australia — the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap — on the edge of Alice Springs/Mparntwe.
When I rolled into this beautiful landscape 16 years ago and began working at the ABC’s Alice Springs bureau, it quickly became clear I wouldn’t hear from this significant section of the community.
Given local radio is all about connecting with the community and sharing people’s stories, this silence felt strange.
My curiosity grew and the book Peace Crimes, written by long-term local journalist Kieran Finnane, motivated me to start looking deeper.
I wanted to know what was going on in my backyard, but I knew trying to make a podcast about a secret military facility hidden in a secluded valley in Central Australia wouldn’t be easy.
Telling this story in a town the size of Alice Springs would undoubtedly feel personal and would likely offend parts of the community.
It’s a line regional journalists walk all the time — telling stories that are in the public interest, while living in the community that is affected by them.
Covering difficult stories in a small town
The words we write as journalists — or say, like in the Expanse: Spies in the Outback podcast — do have real world implications for real people.
That includes everyone from my neighbours, to the parents of my kids’ friends, to people I see regularly at community events.
For them, it’s not a story – it’s their life.
And that can get awkward.
But there are stories in the public interest that the Australian government won’t comment on and this often means they’re shrouded in mystery, or rife with rumour.
Pine Gap is one of those stories.
What goes on beneath the cluster of enormous, oversized-golf-ball-shaped domes covering the military base’s listening antenna on the desert floor, raises big questions for all of Australia, not just my town.
The Pine Gap intelligence-gathering facility is often described as the jewel in the crown of our military partnership with the United States.
But what have we got ourselves into, and do we benefit from it?
Protesters, politicians and spies
Over the past six months, I’ve had lots of off-the-record coffees, trawled the news and library archives, followed some bizarre leads and heard plenty of wild stories, as I have tried to understand the goings-on behind the razor wire.
I wanted to know why America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) decided to build a so-called “space base” in outback Australia in the mid 1960s.
What motivated former prime minister Gough Whitlam to rock the boat and promise to reveal its secrets to the public?
Why were thousands of people so convinced it was a nuclear target they flocked to the desert to demand its closure?
And how had it drawn Australia onto one battlefield after the next through its large-scale surveillance and intelligence gathering?
While plenty of people outside Alice Springs/Mparntwe have never heard of this desert spy base, most people in town have an opinion on it.
There are three main camps: those who say it’s vital for the town’s economy and global peace; those who still see it as a nuclear target and want it shut down; and those who feel generally apathetic to its existence.
And yet, nobody really talks about Pine Gap.
Still, I felt it was important to really understand the diversity of views on this outback spy base as I conducted my research.
I wanted to hear from the traditional owners of the Arrernte land it was built on, and from the spies tasked with finding targets in Afghanistan and Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism.
But how do you investigate something as secretive as Pine Gap when everyone who works there has made a promise never to talk about what they do?
I certainly wasn’t looking to see anyone exiled to Russia like Edward Snowden after he leaked a raft of National Security Agency (NSA) documents, including information on Pine Gap.
In the end, gentle, determined persistence meant I was able to tell the Pine Gap story in a way that lifted the lid but didn’t put national security at risk, and that (I hope) was sensitive to the lives of those in Alice Springs affected by it.
Back in the national spotlight
And then, in late 2023 as I tracked down activists, former spies and politicians … protesters were suddenly blocking the road to Pine Gap again.
There were serious claims being made that intelligence gathered at the facility was being used in the Israel-Gaza war. With Pine Gap back in the spotlight, I knew I had to look deeper.
This spy base, which became operational in 1970 during the Cold War, had expanded through the decades in scale and capability and was more relevant than ever.
The Australian government says Pine Gap is one of the country’s “most longstanding security arrangements” with the United States but it does not comment on its operation.
As each episode of Expanse: Spies in the Outback has been released, I’ve received emails and text messages that confirm why it was an important story to tell.
Some people have been shocked and appalled, while others have been grateful to learn we have this secret intelligence facility in our backyard.
Even in my own town of Alice Springs, where everyone knows someone who works at Pine Gap, there is an appetite to know more – regardless of how uncomfortable that might be.
Follow Expanse: Spies In The Outback on the ABC listen app to hear every episode of season three.
‘Disarm now’: Anti-nuke advocate’s message to world leaders at Pine Gap protest.
Following the breakdown of a nuclear treaty, an antinuclear advocate wants world leaders to hear a message she’s made from the doors of a top secret Territory spy base.
12 Aug 25,https://www.ntnews.com.au/journalists/gera-kazakov
An antinuclear ambassador for a Nobel prize winning group has delivered a message to world leaders at the edge of a Red Centre spy base, days after Russia pulled out of an arms treaty following an American missile test in the Top End.
ICAN ambassador Karina Lester was one of a dozen demonstrators who gathered at the edge of the Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility restricted area on Sunday, where she told world leaders to “disarm now” when speaking with this masthead.
“Get rid of your weapons. Lets fund and focus on world peace, not arm up and test missiles,” she said.
Ms Lester’s visit to the border of the Pine Gap restricted zone on Hatt Rd comes a day after she gave a speech at the sixth Yami Lester memorial event in Alice Springs – an event named after her father.
Mr Lester, a Yankunytjatjara elder who died in 2017, was blinded by the British nuclear tests in northern South Australia in the 1950s.
He was blinded as a child, and spent his life advocating against nuclear weapons – a mantle his daughter has taken up with ICAN, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for their antinuclear advocacy.
The group got to the edge of the Pine Gap restricted at about 4.30pm Sunday, where they were again met with a police blockade at where the restricted zone begins.
Two unmarked Toyota LandCruisers followed the convoy to their meeting place, and a police drone was also observed overhead.
The group heard from speakers who opposed the US-run base, with members of the crowd holding signs reading “Yankee go home” while others held Palestinian flags.
At the conclusion of the demonstration, the group gathered for a photo and chanted “land back, close Pine Gap” while various media outlets filmed and photographed them.
Federal NSW Greens senator David Shoebridge was also billed to be at the Pine Gap demonstration on Sunday, but pulled out due to covid, this masthead understands.
The Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesman said the political party has opposed the US-run base “for decades” but did not comment on why he was unable to come on Sunday when asked by this masthead.
Sanction Israel Now – APH Convergence
22 July 2025 AIMN Editorial, https://theaimn.net/sanction-israel-now-aph-convergence/
NATIONAL CONVERGENCE ON CANBERRA DEMANDS THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SANCTION ISRAEL NOW
Advocates for justice and human rights from across the continent will converge at Parliament House Canberra from Sunday, 20 July 2025 to Tuesday, 22 July 2025 to demand that the Australian government immediately impose sanctions on the state of Israel.
Over the last 77 years, the Israeli government has openly committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people without consequence. Over the last 21 months, we have witnessed an escalation of these atrocities as Israel flaunts its human rights violations and contraventions of international law before the eyes of the world.
Despite international law compelling states including Australia to take action to prevent these atrocity crimes, the Australian government has failed to take meaningful action by imposing boycotts, divestments and sanctions on the genocidal state. Instead, it has opted to remain friends and allies with, and supply weapons to, a state openly committing gross human rights violations.
“Palestinian men, women and children are being massacred and starved to death before the eyes of the world. All eyes are on Gaza but no one is willing to do anything to help ” said Nasser Mashni, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network President.
Israel has sought to cripple Gaza by imposing a blockade, bombing hospitals and manufacturing a famine. Repeated human rights violations have been documented while states, including Australia remain reluctant to take concrete action.
Noura Mansour, Democracy in Colour National Director said that “We are witnessing a humanitarian and global catastrophe. We have been asking the international community to stop these atrocities for over 77 years. The escalation and atrocities we are witnessing today are a direct result of Palestinians being ignored since 1948.”
The Australian government remains complicit in the genocide, occupation and crimes against humanity being committed against the Palestinian people by the Israeli government.
We remain steadfast in demanding the Australian government take immediate action to pressure Israel to abide by international law by imposing sanctions.
“We have been constantly demanding that the Australian government impose sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel for over 21 months. Despite the constant bombardment, starvation and brutality, the Australian government is reluctant to take any concrete action. Instead, it has shamefully chosen to take the side of the oppressor” said Activist and Organiser, Sarah Baarini.
We call on the community from every corner of the continent to converge at the centre of decision making on this colony, for the opening of Parliament, to send a clear and strong message that the people remain united and demand that the Australian government
SANCTION ISRAEL NOW
“We will not be passive in the face of injustice. Every second that passes without meaningful action taken by those in power is another second too late. Time is truly of the essence. We are already 77 years too late – we can not afford to wait a second more. We will not stop and we will not rest – we will continue to resist and demand justice until Palestine is free, from the river to the sea” said Dan, Renegade Activist and Political Staffer.
ENDORSED BY:
Academics for Palestine – South Australia
Academics for Palestine WA
ACT Greens
ANMF nurses and midwives for Palestine
ANU 4 Palestine
Anak Bangsa Malaysia
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
Australia’s Voice
Australian MADE (Muslim Adolescent
Development & Education) Inc
Australian Greens First Nations Network
Australian Social Workers for Palestine
ASU for Palestine
Banyule Palestine Action Group
Canberra Islamic School
Canberra Palestine and Climate Justice
Central Coast Friends of Palestine
Central West New South Wales 4 Palestine
Climate Activists for Palestine
Climate Justice Alliance Northern Rivers
Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine
Connecting the dots
Conversations For Palestine
Darebin for Palestine
Defend Dissent Coalition
Democracy in Colour
Disrupt Burrup Hub
Disrupt Wars
DrummersforPalestine
Education4Palestine
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion ACT
Extinction Rebellion Peace – XR Peace
Fairfield for Palestine
Families For Palestine
Food Not Bombs Gadigal/Sydney
Fowler for Palestine
Free Gaza Australia
Free Palestine Central Vic
Free Palestine Coalition Naarm
Free Palestine Far North Queensland
Free Palestine Frankston
Free Palestine Gippsland
Free Palestine Melbourne
Free Palestine Newcastle
Free Palestine Sunbury
Free Palestine Townsville
Free Palestine Wurruk
Friends of Palestine Western Australia
Green Left
Greens (WA) Inc
Happily Made
Health Workers 4 Palestine (South
Australia)
Healthcare Workers for Palestine WA
Hobsons Bay 4 Palestine
Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy
Hume for Palestine
Independent and Peaceful Australia
Network (IPAN)
Independent and Peaceful Australia
Network ACT
Inner West for Palestine
Institute for Collaborative Race Research
IPAN Geelong and Southwest Victoria
Ireland Palestine Solidarity ‘Australia’Islamic Association of Monash Mosque
Islamic Council of Victoria
Jewish Council of Australia
Jews Against the Occupation ‘48
Jews for Palestine WA
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin
Law Students For Refugees
Loud Jew Collective
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Mums For Palestine
Muslim Collective
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National Amnesty Refugee Network
Newcastle Mums For Palestine
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No AUKUS Coalition Victoria
No Weapons for Genocide
Northern Naarm Action for Palestine
Northern Rivers Friends Of Palestine
NTEU for Palestine
Our Race Community
Palestine Action Group Canberra
Palestine Action Group Muloobinba
Palestine Action Group Sydney
Palestine Action Group Warrnambool
Palestine Justice Movement Sydney
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Perth Doctors Medical Aid For Palestine
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Students for Palestine
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The Greens NSW
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Federal Labor is taking up powers to impose AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes on communities across SA, WA and the NT:
Democratic Rights and Public Safety are compromised by AUKUS Regulations Section.105, an untenable override of State & Territory laws that prohibit nuclear waste storage.
Public Submission by Mr David Noonan B.Sc., M.Env.St, -to AUKUS ‘Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations – public consultation’ 12 July 2025 https://nuclear.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Noonan-AUKUS-N-sub-regulations-to-override-SA-laws-July-2025.pdf
Contents:
Overview p2
The public has a ‘Right to Know’ who is targeted for storage of High-Level nuclear wastes 3
Indigenous People have a UN recognised Human Right to Say No to nuclear wastes 4
Regulations Section 105 overrides SA, NT and WA prohibitions on nuclear waste storage 5
Port Adelaide Enfield Council opposes AUKUS N-sub waste storage at Osborne 6
Premier Rann passed Laws that prohibits the storage of nuclear reactor waste at Osborne 7
Recommendations, in public interest disclosures required by Defence 8
As to my Relevant Background 9
Re: Democratic Rights and Public Safety are compromised by AUKUS Regulations Sec.105,
an untenable override of State & Territory laws that prohibit nuclear waste storage.
An array of key Public Interests are at stake across SA, NT and WA as a consequence of draft
AUKUS Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025 and in particular Section
105 State and Territory laws that do not apply in relation to a regulated activity.
I provide public input along with Recommendations as disclosures required by Defence (p.8) on
public interest matters pertaining to the Regulations, some of my relevant background to these
issues as a long-term environment, nuclear and public interest campaigner is cited (p.9).
Integrity, transparency, and accountability are key to public confidence in governance in
Australia. The AUKUS nuclear submarine (N-sub) agenda repeatedly fails these standards. The
AUKUS Regulations are the pointed end of an unfolding federal Labor agenda to take up powers
to impose unwelcome and illegal AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes on our communities. AUKUS
Regulations Section 105 further undermines public confidence and trust in government.
The public has a ‘Right to Know’ who is targeted for storage of High-Level N-sub nuclear wastes.
Over three years into AUKUS: Why is there still not even an announced N-waste siting process?
An uncosted liability in AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes is being imposed on all future generations
through the Regulations Section 105 over-ride of State and Territory Radiation Safety and
nuclear waste related laws. As a consequence, communities across SA, the NT and WA face a
future as primary targets for a federal imposed AUKUS High-Level nuclear waste storage site.
Community health and nuclear safety regards AUKUS N-subs is to be taken over by a nonindependent military nuclear regulator, set in ‘conflict of interest’ reporting to the Defence
Minister – to replace the independent civilian ARPANS Agency that reports to Health Minister.
Nuclear risks to community safety warrant full transparency, accountability and public interest
disclosures. The storage of N-sub so called ‘Low Level’ radioactive wastes at Osborne has been
rejected by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council (12 Nov 2024, p.213-218). It is an illegal act under
the SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000 as amended by Labor Premier Mike Rann.
These AUKUS Regulations are to override SA Law and to override the will of the people in SA.
The AUKUS Regulations place the Safety, Health and Welfare, and democratic Rights and
Interests of targeted Australian communities and Indigenous People at risk and unacceptably
compromise’s the protection of the Environment in which they live. The Regulations specifically
fail to recognise and respect Indigenous People’s UN recognised Human Right to Say No to
imposition of hazardous materials, re AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes, on their lands.
Defence should realise civil society across SA, NT and WA will actively oppose an unacceptable
imposition of intractable nuclear wastes in Australia, what-ever the source. High-Level nuclear
waste is a dangerous and undemocratic imposition on all future generations.
The untenable state of AUKUS N-sub nuclear waste issues demonstrates why an AUKUS
military nuclear regulator can-not be trusted to protect the public interest.
The public has a ‘Right to Know’ who is targeted for storage of High-Level nuclear wastes:
Minister Richard Marles MP has still not made a promised ‘announcement’, said to be by early
2024, on a process to manage High-Level nuclear waste and to site a waste disposal facility, he
saying “obviously that facility will be remote from populations” (ABC News 15 March 2023).
Best safety practice requires a storage site to be identified before acquisition or generation of
High-Level nuclear wastes. AUKUS requires a site before purchase of a N-sub in early 2030’s.
The national press (11 August 2023) reports the Woomera rocket range is understood to be a
‘favoured location’ for storage and disposal of nuclear sub wastes (“Woomera looms as
national nuclear waste dump site including for AUKUS submarine high-level waste afr.com).
Political leaders in WA, Qld and Vic have already rejected a High-Level nuclear waste disposal
site. SA’s Premier has so far only said it should go to a ‘remote’ location in the national interest.
A ‘Review’ of the Woomera Prohibited Area was announced by Minister Marles MP: “to ensure it
remains fit for purpose and meets Australia’s national security requirements” – to read also as
AUKUS requirements. Public input to that Review has opposed an AUKUS N-waste storage.
Federal Labor can-not claim to have a ‘social license’ for Defence to operate on AUKUS in SA,
NT and WA while failing to inform affected communities of the AUKUS nuclear risks, the
cultural, environmental & socio-economic impacts they face in siting for nuclear waste storage.
The public and Traditional Owners have rights to full disclosure of nuclear risks and impacts in
advance of this flawed Regulatory process that assumes a right to impose High-Level nuclear
waste storage in SA, NT or WA through override of democratic laws prohibiting such wastes.
Nuclear wastes are a threat to the democratic rights of a people to decide their own future.
Storage of nuclear wastes is known to compromise the Safety and Welfare of the people of SA,
that is why it is prohibited by the SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000. The Objects
of this Act set out the fundamental public interests that are at stake:
“The Objects of this Act are to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of
South Australia and to protect the environment in which they live by prohibiting the
establishment of certain nuclear waste storage facilities in this State.“
This Defence regulatory process must declare in advance whether or not Defence will commit
to comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Article 29
provision of Indigenous People’s Rights to “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” over storage or
disposal of hazardous materials, including nuclear wastes, on their lands.
I refer this Defence process to consider “The Politics of Nuclear Waste Disposal: Lessons
from Australia”, a Report by Dr Jim Green and Dimity Hawkins AM, Published by the Asia-Pacific
Leadership Network (January 2024). Labor’s AUKUS agenda is failing to learn these lessons.
There is an onus on this Defence regulatory process to see that it doesn’t add to a sad history of
nuclear disrespect for Indigenous Human Rights and Interests across SA, the NT and WA.
Indigenous People have a UN recognised Human Right to Say No to nuclear wastes:
Traditional owners Human Right to Say No to imposition of nuclear wastes must be respected.
The AUKUS N-sub agenda triggers the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (UNDRIP, adopted by United Nations, Sept 2007) in Indigenous People’s Article 29
Rights to “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” over storage or disposal of hazardous materials
on their lands. AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes absolutely are ‘hazardous materials’.
These Regulations should be framed in accordance with the Recommendations of the Federal
Inquiry Report (Nov 2023) into the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and
respect Chair of the Inquiry, Indigenous Labor Senator Patrick Dodson’s clear views, stating
“the Commonwealth Government ensure its approach to developing legislation and
policy on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be consistent
with the Articles outlined in the UNDRIP”.
It is concerning Labor has so far failed to act on key Rec. No.6 of that UNDRIP Inquiry, stating:
“The Committee recommends that the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
(Cth) be amended to include the UNDRIP in the definition of ‘human rights’, so that it be
formally considered when scrutinising legislation.”
Transparency is a minimum public interest standard to expect from a Federal Government.
The intensions of the Labor Federal Government AUKUS N-sub agenda, and of the Regulations in governing N-sub wastes, must be made clear: does Labor support or intend to override the
Rights of Indigenous Australians under the UNDRIP Article 29 to “Free, Prior and Informed
Consent” – as a Human Right to Say No – over Storage of AUKUS N-sub wastes on their lands?
Issues of Indigenous Rights verses imposition of AUKUS N-sub wastes have been repeatedly
raised without response. For instance, my public input to the 2023 Defence Review and to an
Inquiry into the AUKUS Bill that led to these Regulations called for needed transparency:
Defence should become transparent over proposed Navy High-Level nuclear waste
disposal, policy, siting process, rights and legal issues. Defence should commit to
respect and to comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Article 29 provision of Indigenous People’s rights to “Free, Prior and Informed
Consent” over storage or disposal of hazardous materials on their lands.
The Labor Federal Government has long standing questions to answer, see “AUKUS nuclear
waste dump must be subject to Indigenous veto” (by Michelle Fahy, May 2023):
“Bipartisan secrecy and Defence’s poor record with Indigenous groups at Woomera are
red flags for consultations over an AUKUS nuclear waste dump. Human rights experts
say government must establish an Indigenous veto right.”
The draft AUKUS Regulations unacceptably disregard Indigenous Peoples UN recognised
Right to Say No to the imposed storage of AUKUS N-sub nuclear waste on their land.
Regulations Section 105 overrides SA, NT and WA prohibitions on nuclear waste storage:
Federal Labor is taking powers to impose AUKUS nuclear waste on SA, or on the NT, or on WA.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025 sets out Section 105 State and
Territory laws that do not apply in relation to a regulated activity to override State & Ter Laws.
The Draft Explanatory Statement (DOCX, 145.38 KB (p.73) explains Section 105 as (extract):
Subsection 105(1) prescribes, for the purposes of section 135 of the Act, the
subsections of the provision which prescribes the laws of States and Territories that do
not apply in relation to a regulated activity. …
Subsection 105(3) provides that any provision of any other State or Territory law that
regulates nuclear activities is prescribed and do not apply in relation to a regulated
activity. This means that the laws prescribed in subsection 105(2) are expressly
excluded and do not apply in relation to regulated activities; and that any parts of any
other laws of States or Territories that also regulate nuclear activities do not apply to
regulated activities, as defined by the Act.
The note under subsection 105(3) clarifies that such provision of a law includes
provisions regulating the disposal of nuclear waste, the handling or storage of nuclear
material or material contaminated with radiation, or the design, construction, operation,
decommissioning or disposal of nuclear facilities.
Subsection 105(4) clarifies that subsection 105(3) does not apply to a provision of a law
that is predominately for the purposes of regulating work or occupational health and
safety, or protecting the environment.
The Parliamentary Report “Current prohibitions on nuclear activities in Australia: a quick
guide” (May 2024) provides an overview of current prohibitions on nuclear activities under SA,
NT and WA laws that protect community from the risks and impacts of nuclear wastes:
The Nuclear Waste Transport, Storage and Disposal (Prohibition) Act 2004 (NT) prohibits the
construction and operation of nuclear waste storage facilities, as well as the transportation of
nuclear waste for storage at a nuclear waste storage facility in the NT (Sec.6 & 7). Nuclear waste
is defined as including waste material from nuclear plants or the conditioning or reprocessing of
spent nuclear fuel (Sec.2). …
The Nuclear Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act 2000 (SA) prohibits the construction or
operation of a nuclear waste storage facility, and the import to SA or transport within SA of
nuclear waste for delivery to a nuclear waste storage facility (Sec.8 & 9).
The Nuclear Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act prohibits the SA Government from
expending public funds to encourage or finance the construction or operation of nuclear waste
storage facilities (Sec.13). The Act would also require the SA Parliament to hold an inquiry into
the proposed construction or operation of a nuclear waste storage facility in SA authorised
under a Commonwealth law (Sec.14). …
The Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999 (WA) also prohibits the
storage, disposal or transportation in Western Australia of certain nuclear waste, including
waste from a nuclear plant or nuclear weapons (Sec.7 & 7 A, nuclear waste is defined in Sec.3).
Port Adelaide Enfield Council opposes AUKUS N-sub waste storage at Osborne:
Federal and State Labor Governments failed to engage the Port Adelaide Enfield Council (PAE)
on their plan for decades of ongoing storage of AUKUS N-sub nuclear reactor radioactive
wastes at Osborne, see Minutes of an PAE Ordinary Council Meeting 12 Nov 2024 (p.5-6).
11.1 Questions on Notice – Cr. den Hartog – Nuclear Waste Storage
Question 1. Has there been any correspondence or other communication between
Council staff and or any elected member(s) and the Federal or State Government or
Federal or State Government department regarding a dedicated nuclear waste facility at
Osborne under the AUKUS Law?
Answer To the best of our knowledge there has been no correspondence or
communication of this specific nature.
… Question 3. If a nuclear waste facility is established at Osborne, what is the
legislative responsibility of the Council regarding community safety and well-being?
Answer Given the regulations under the Bill have yet to be publicly released, it is still
unclear what legislative responsibilities under the new legislation would rest with
council, if any.
However, councils are charged with many aspects of the health, safety and well-being
of people under existing legislation. The Local Government Act, Public and
Environmental Health Act and Environment Protection Act are examples of legislation
that prescribe Council’s role and responsibilities about community safety and wellbeing. Local Government’s legislated powers in areas related to nuclear power weapons and defence are limited, but under existing legislation councils can advocate on issues relevant to their communities needs and concerns. This is one of the central premises of the draft PAE Decision Making Framework for AUKUS, which is being considered as part of tonight’s Council agenda.
Commendably, PAE decided to advocate on their communities needs & concerns over AUKUS
and decided to oppose storage of low-level radioactive waste at Osborne, see the PAE Council
Recommendations passed at the Ordinary Council Meeting – 12 Nov 2024 (Agenda p.213-218):
Recommendations:
The nuclear safety component of AUKUS in particular demands community
engagement. It is therefore recommended that Council write to the relevant local State
and Federal MPs and Ministers advising them of Council’s
- position that any applications for licencing for the management, storage or disposal of
radioactive waste ‘facilities’ and ‘activities’ at the AUKUS operations at the Osborne
Naval Shipyard should be subject to full community engagement; and, - opposition to the permanent storage or disposal of low-level radioactive waste and,
any temporary or permanent storage or disposal of medium and high-level radioactive
waste in the AUKUS facilities at Osborne Naval Shipyard. (p.217-218)
However, the AUKUS Regulations disrespects PAE’s opposition by taking up powers to
impose radioactive waste storage at Osborne regardless of the will of the local community.
Premier Rann passed Laws that prohibits the storage of nuclear reactor waste at Osborne:
Hon Mike Rann AC CNZM, Premier of SA from March 2002 through to 2011, passed Labor
amendments to expand public interest protections in nuclear reactor waste prohibitions in SA.
Federal Labor’s intended decades of storage of AUKUS N-sub reactor radioactive wastes at
Osborne, promoted by current SA Labor State Government, is illegal – against the Law – in SA.
Following years of silence and secrecy from federal and state Labor over the illegality of their
plans for N-sub waste storage at Osborne, the AUKUS Regulations 2025 are to override our legal
protections in SA and take up powers to impose N-sub waste storage at Osborne by decree.
AUKUS Minister Richard Marles, Defence, local federal MP the Hon Mark Butler the Minister for
Health (also responsible for the ARPANS Agency) and local state MP the Hon Susan Close the
Minister for Environment & Water and Deputy Premier in SA, should explain this to community.
They all have an onus to explain the legal context and consequences of passage of the AUKUS
Regulations 2025 in a federal override of long-standing public interest protections in SA Law.
In 2000 the SA Liberal Premier John Olsen showed leadership in legislating to prohibit the
import, transport, storage and disposal of ‘nuclear waste’ derived from nuclear reactor
operations, using a definition prohibiting High-Level and Intermediate Level radioactive wastes.
This was a response to PM Howard targeting SA for storage of ANSTO nuclear fuel wastes.
This SA Law, the will of the Parliament and the people, still stands and applies to legally prohibit
the storage of AUKUS N-sub nuclear reactor High-Level and Intermediate Level wastes that
Minister Marles may seek to target SA with, with a reported focus on the Woomera Area.
In 2002 the incoming SA Labor Premier Mike Rann showed leadership in legislating to expand
the range of prohibitions on ‘nuclear waste’ derived from nuclear reactor operations to also
cover ‘Low Level’ radioactive wastes (that can require isolation for up to 300 years).
Storage of N-sub nuclear reactor ‘Low Level’ radioactive wastes at Osborne is illegal in SA Law.
Minister Marles AUKUS Regulations 2025 Section 105 is intended to override and set aside
these key public interest SA Laws passed under the leadership of Liberal & Labor Premiers.
In the near term, Minister Marles wants to use the proposed draft AUKUS Regulations 2025 to
impose storage of so called ‘Low Level’ radioactive waste at Osborne, and in the long-term
Minister Marles wants the option to impose storage of AUKUS High-Level wastes onto SA.
Q: where is the political leadership today from the State Labor Government in response to this?
It is undemocratic of a Federal Labor Government to seek to override State and Territory laws,
that protect the Health, Safety and Welfare of the People and the Environment in which they
live, so as to impose the hazards, risks and impacts in storage of AUKUS N-sub nuclear wastes.
Recommendation:
The undemocratic AUKUS Regulations “Section 105 (3) State and Territory laws that do not
apply in relation to a regulated activity” that is intended to take up powers to impose N-sub
nuclear reactor wastes which are currently illegal in SA, in the NT, and in WA, must be
withdrawn by the AUKUS Minister Richard Marles MP and by Defence.
Recommendations:
Recommendations by David Noonan comprise public interest disclosures that are required by Defence for an informed, transparent and accountable process on AUKUS Regulations 2025.
1. Civil Society faces federal imposition of untenable AUKUS N-sub nuclear waste storage.
Defence must respect affected Australian communities and Indigenous People’s ‘Right to Know’ the nuclear risks they face in imposed AUKUS nuclear waste storage facilities:
1.1 Defence must declare its intention to over-ride the SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000 to impose AUKUS N-sub reactor nuclear waste storage at Osborne, Port Adelaide.
1.2 Defence must publicly disclose which Australian regions and Indigenous Peoples are currently under consideration for imposed siting and compulsory land acquisition for an AUKUS High-Level nuclear waste storage, and which – if any – existing Defence lands are included in the regional short list that is currently being prepared across SA, the NT and WA.
1.3 Defence must become accountable over the future and fate of the Woomera Area, understood in national media to be a ‘favoured location’ for storage and disposal of AUKUS Nsub nuclear waste (“Woomera looms as national nuclear waste dump site including for AUKUS submarine high-level waste afr.com AFR 11 August 2023).
1.4 Defence must declare its reserved right to override the SA Nuclear Waste Storage (Prohibition) Act 2000 through powers in the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024 Section.135 “Operation of State and Territory laws” to impose an AUKUS nuclear waste dump on outback lands and unwilling community in SA, by decree through these AUKUS Regulations.
2. Indigenous People have a UN recognised Human Right to Say No to nuclear wastes.
Defence should respect the clear views of Indigenous Labor Senator Patrick Dodson and act to make the AUKUS Regulations consistent with the Recommendations of a Federal Inquiry Report (Nov 2023) into the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, stating:
“the Commonwealth Government ensure its approach to developing legislation and policy on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be consistent with the Articles outlined in the UNDRIP”.
2.1 Defence must provide a clear disclosure as to whether or not they will commit to respect and comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Article 29 provision of Indigenous Peoples Rights to “Free, Prior and Informed Consent”, as a Right to Say No, over storage or disposal of hazardous materials on their lands – in this case AUKUS HighLevel & Intermediate Level nuclear waste storage.
3. The undemocratic AUKUS Regulations “Section 105 (3) State and Territory laws that do not apply in relation to a regulated activity” that is intended to take up powers to impose Nsub nuclear reactor wastes which are currently illegal in SA, in the NT, and in WA, must be withdrawn by the AUKUS Minister Richard Marles MP and by Defence.
As to my Relevant Background:
In 30 years’ experience scrutinising environment & nuclear public interest issues and providing
public input and Recommendations on nuclear waste matters pertinent to these Regulations:
US military waste contractor with flawed safety record backing Australian N-waste dump
Declassified Australia can report that over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022, during which Amentum managed the WIPP facility, multiple highly hazardous incidents occurred.
Amidst allegations of “gross mismanagement”, the dangerous incidents at the WIPP facility cost US taxpayers at least US$2 billion, and caused a three-year closure of the nuclear waste plant while redesign, repair, and remediation efforts were undertaken.
Jorgen Doyle, June 7, 2025 https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/06/us-military-waste-contractor-with-flawed-safety-record-backing-australian-n-waste-dump/
A US military mega-contractor assisting an Australian company to develop a proposal for a nuclear waste dump in Central Australia has a flawed safety record in handling nuclear waste storage.
A DECLASSIFIED AUSTRALIA SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
In Alice Springs, Central Arrernte Country, the giant American military contractor, Amentum Holdings, is responsible for the day-to-day running of facilities for the secretive US-Australian Pine Gap satellite surveillance base. Now it’s involved in developing a proposed nuclear waste dump in Central Australia.
Declassified Australia can reveal that Amentum’s Alice Springs-based workforce of 400 people provides a myriad of support services to keep the ever-expanding base functioning, including infrastructure management, facilities operations, and maintenance services.
The proposal for the low-level nuclear waste dump comes as the Australian Government is seeking ways to manage and ultimately dispose of high-level nuclear waste from nuclear reactors in the proposed AUKUS submarines, as well as from other defence-related nuclear and hazardous waste, including visiting US and UK nuclear-powered submarines and warships.
As Declassified Australia exclusively reports, despite Amentum having a problematic record of nuclear waste management overseas, it is now involved in the nuclear waste disposal business in Australia.
Proposed Chandler waste facility
Amentum has been contracted to advise Australian hazardous waste company, Tellus Holdings, on the Chandler nuclear waste dump in Central Australia.
The Chandler nuclear waste dump is proposed to be constructed within a salt formation on Southern Arrernte country, 15km from the Aboriginal community of Titjikala and 120km south of Alice Springs.
The Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority’s assessment report for the Chandler dump describes the project components as including construction of an underground salt mine at a depth of up to 860 metres, permanent hazardous waste disposal vaults within mined-out salt caverns, temporary above-ground storage facilities for hazardous waste, and associated infrastructure like haul roads, access roads, and salt stockpiles.
In August 2024, Tellus announced that the company had contracted Amentum to conduct a Strategic Review of the project to assess timelines, feasibility and potential international waste streams to be disposed of at the facility.
Sydney-based Tellus Holdings was founded in 2009 and describes its mission as “providing advance[d] end-to-end solutions for managing the world’s most challenging hazardous materials”. The company operates Australia’s first geological repository for low-level nuclear waste which started in 2021 at Sandy Ridge, 240km northwest of Kalgoorlie.
When Tellus’ American-born chief executive Nate Smith, a former attorney at powerful Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, was interviewed on ABC Radio last August, he cited the proximity of Amentum’s workforce based in Alice Springs as a strong reason for selecting Amentum to carry out the strategic review of the proposed nuclear waste dump.
Declassified Australia can exclusively reveal that at an NT Defence Week presentation held in Alice Springs in May 2024, an Amentum speaker stated that the company is contracted directly by the US Government, and “employs roughly 400 people” providing services to the Pine Gap base.
According to an attendee at the event, the speaker said Amentum provides the operation services and maintenance of facilities, utilities management, renovation, security, environmental health and safety, catering, and housing services.
The company regularly posts ads for the employment of new contractors to provide services like cleaning, gardening and even swimming pool repair. On some days, the speaker said, there have been as many as 200 contractors for Amentum working on site at the spy base, 15km south of Alice Springs.
Amentum and the US military
Based in Virginia, Amentum is one of the US’s largest military contractors. The company employs 53,000 people across 80 countries, and provides services as diverse as chemical and biological weapons decommissioning, US army helicopter training, to running the Nevada Bombing Range and the Kennedy Space Centre.
As well as supporting the US’s most important satellite surveillance base outside the US at Pine Gap, Amentum also works extensively in managing and maintaining US military facilities, primarily in West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The company operates in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where it provides operations and maintenance services on US military installations.
In Iraq, it manages and maintains US air force bases; and has previously operated in Afghanistan, where it maintained helicopters for the Afghan Air Force, and serviced airfields and trained Afghan police, until US forces evacuated the country.
In Somalia, Amentum is assisting in the construction of six new military bases, while in Ethiopia it is working to “enhance biosafety and biosecurity” at a vaccine lab and training facility.
Amentum is also involved more directly in training armed militias and military forces. In western Africa, the company operates in Benin, where it trains the country’s armed forces for “counter-terrorism” operations.
However, Amentum’s activities have been subject to controversy, even by the standards of a global military contractor.
Amentum is providing training to three of Libya’s armed groups as part of attempts to unify major armed factions in Tripoli to “counter Russian influence” within the country and across the African continent.
The company is currently defending a case before a US court on charges of human trafficking in Kuwait, through its predecessor companies AECOM and DynCorp. The companies allegedly participated in abusive practices against 29 interpreters working under US Army contracts during the US-led invasion of Iraq, “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. The abusive practices included forced labour under threat of deportation and arrest.
Amentum’s nuclear activities
In addition to its military contracts, Amentum has been working to support the development of nuclear reactors and facilities across a number of countries.
In the UK, Amentum has recently been selected as project manager for the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast.
In South Africa, the company is working on extending the life of the country’s only nuclear reactor by 20 years. In the Netherlands, Amentum has been commissioned to undertake technical feasibility studies for two proposed new nuclear reactors.
It is on the American continent that Amentum’s reputation for managing nuclear facilities has suffered serious blows.
In 2012, Amentum formed the Nuclear Waste Partnership, a limited liability company, with BWX Technologies, in order to bid on a US Department of Energy contract to operate and manage a US nuclear weapons waste disposal facility in New Mexico, known as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Amentum’s experience managing the WIPP nuclear weapons waste disposal facility is cited as one of the reasons Tellus selected Amentum as its partner to carry out the strategic review of the planned Chandler project.
However, Declassified Australia can report that over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022, during which Amentum managed the WIPP facility, multiple highly hazardous incidents occurred.
The incidents, described by an expert on the WIPP as a “horrific comedy of errors”, transformed a facility once regarded as “the flagship of the [US] Energy Department” into an object of serious concern.
Amidst allegations of “gross mismanagement”, the dangerous incidents at the WIPP facility cost US taxpayers at least US$2 billion, and caused a three-year closure of the nuclear waste plant while redesign, repair, and remediation efforts were undertaken.
Nuclear weapons waste disposal
The WIPP is, like Tellus’ proposed Chandler Project in Central Australia, located within a salt formation. Salt formations are generally considered ideal for the storage of nuclear waste because of their geological stability, capacity to dissipate heat generated by waste, low permeability to water and gasses, and self-sealing properties.
The WIPP site is massive. Its underground footprint currently includes 10 excavated “panels”, each consisting of seven rooms, totalling 100 acres. An 11th panel is under construction, and the US Department of Energy intends to expand the site to eventually consist of nineteen panels.
The facility has received more than 14,000 shipments of military nuclear waste since becoming operational in 1999. Its 800-strong workforce transfers transuranic waste received in drums to storage rooms 655 metres underground for permanent disposal.
The WIPP facility exclusively receives waste from the US’s nuclear weapons program, including tonnes of excess plutonium. Waste originating from 22 Department of Energy facilities, including the infamous Los Alamos National Laboratory (birthplace of the atomic bomb) is transferred to the WIPP facility for long-term storage.
There are proposals for the WIPP to take waste now classified as “high-level” once that waste has been ‘reclassified’ as transuranic (non-uranium) waste. This would pave the way for its storage at WIPP.
“Reclassification of nuclear waste could make disposal simpler and cheaper” is the breezy conclusion of one such proposal written by the editorial staff of Nature journal.
The site is legislated to receive 175,564 cubic metres of waste, and as of 2021, had reached 56.7% of its capacity.
Originally slated to begin closure in 2024, expansion plans and permit modifications have led nuclear watchdog groups to warn that what was only intended as a pilot plant is morphing into “Forever WIPP”.
The US Department of Energy itself now admits that “ final facility closure could begin no earlier than 2083”.
Faulty design and handling at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
On 5 February 2014, less than 18 months into the Nuclear Waste Partnership’s management of the WIPP site, a truck caught fire within the facility, and six workers were hospitalised with smoke inhalation.
A subcontractor under the Nuclear Waste Partnership subsequently sued the company for “gross mismanagement of a major construction contract” involving reconstruction of an underground air-monitoring system that failed during the truck fire.
The subcontractor alleged that the Nuclear Waste Partnership, run by Amentum and BWX Technologies, “was such a disorganised project manager that it caused repeated delays and cost overruns, resulting in multiple breaches of contract”.
The subcontractor claimed that NWP “used faulty designs that caused chronic problems and forced crews to redo large and expensive parts of the project”.
The faulty problems cited by the subcontractor included “a flawed design in hollow-roof panels requir[ing] an extensive redesign that dragged on for almost a year and at times forced work to shut down in other areas”.
Further, “[t]he building’s foundation had to be redesigned, requiring crews to move underground pipes they had already installed; and [a] defective design plagu[ed] the building’s control system”.
Less than a fortnight after the truck fire, on 14 February 2014, a barrel containing americium, plutonium, nitrate salts and organic kitty litter ruptured at the facility.
The rupture quickly spread contaminants “through about one-third of the underground caverns and tunnels, up the exhaust shaft, and into the outside environment”, exposing 22 workers at the WIPP facility to low levels of radioactive contamination.
Following the incident, the site was shuttered for three years. Clean-up efforts cost US$640 million, and a further US$600 million in operational costs were accrued during the years 2014-2017 while the site was being remediated and not accepting new waste.
In addition, the US Government paid US$74 million to New Mexico to settle permit violations involving the radiation release and the truck fire two weeks earlier.
Once costs associated with temporarily storing the nuclear waste that had been destined for WIPP are taken into account ( “hotel costs”, including the weekly inspection of more than 24,000 barrels of nuclear waste for leaks), the long-term cost of the incidents to US taxpayers is likely in excess of US$2 billion.
The WIPP site finally reopened in 2017 after three years of remediation efforts. The installation of a new ventilation system to replace the previous one contaminated in the incident of February 14, 2014 cost an additional US$486 million, and was only completed in March 2025.
A safety analysis conducted prior to the WIPP facility becoming operational reassured regulators that the likely frequency of accidents involving the release of radioactive material at the facility would be once every 200,000 years.
However the two serious incidents of February 2014, resulting in a three-year closure of the WIPP facility, occurred just 15 years into the site’s operation.
The US Department of Energy faced years of pressure from nuclear watchdog groups to end the Amentum and BWX partnership responsible for running the WIPP from 2012.
The Department finally decided not to renew Amentum and BWX partnership’s decade-long contract managing the WIPP nuclear weapons waste disposal facility. They exited in 2022.
The proposed Australian project
Back in Central Australia, Amentum’s strategic review of the Chandler Project is due to be completed soon.
Neither Tellus nor Amentum responded to a series of questions put to them about aspects of the nuclear waste dump project.
With Tellus eager to push on, the massive international nuclear waste dump proposed for Southern Arrernte country 120km south of Alice Springs could commence as early as 2028.
Nuclear future off the agenda in Port Augusta, as locals turn to renewables and mining
ABC News, By Kathryn Bermingham, Stateline, 15 May 25
In short:
Port Augusta was thrust into the spotlight when it was announced as one of several sites earmarked, under a Coalition election pledge, to host a nuclear reactor.
While the Coalition has not formally abandoned the plan, its resounding defeat at the recent federal election suggested voters did not embrace the idea.
What’s next?
As Port Augusta looks ahead, locals say its future could lie in several directions, including renewables and mining…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Nuclear off the agenda
Port Augusta was thrust into the national spotlight last year when it was announced as one of the sites earmarked to host a nuclear reactor under a Coalition election pledge.
While the Coalition has not formally abandoned the plan, its resounding defeat at the recent federal election suggested voters did not embrace the idea……………………….
………………………. A future in power generation
Greg Bannon felt the region had scarcely settled one nuclear debate — the now-scrapped proposal to build a low-level nuclear waste dump near Kimba — when the Coalition’s plan was put forward.
“It was really like a punch in the guts,” he said.
Mr Bannon, who lives 40 kilometres from Port Augusta at Quorn and had campaigned against the dump, said Port Augusta has had to reinvent itself in the past and could do so again.
“We also had a very big railway workshop here, it was a huge employer with lots of apprenticeships,” he said.
“Railways built everything. So that was a big loss when that was taken away and of course the most recent large employer has been the coal-fired power station.”
He said the transition to renewables had been more economically beneficial than some gave it credit for — and maintained that Port Augusta’s future was still in energy generation.
“Renewables have provided jobs,” he said.
“We’ve got Sundrop Farm down there, which … grows tomatoes from gulf water that’s been desalinated and solar mirrors.”………………………………………………….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-15/nuclear-off-the-table-for-port-augusta/105285976
South Australia Liberals who first pushed 100 pct renewables – then went nuclear – now reverse course after poll wipeout
ReNewEconomy, May 5, 2025, Joshua S Hill
The South Australian Liberal party, which set the state’s first 100 per cent renewables target when in government six years ago, before embracing nuclear while in opposition, has reversed course again after the federal poll wipeout and the loss of a long time Liberal seat in Adelaide.
South Australia leads the world in the uptake of variable renewables, with a 72 per cent share of local demand over the last 12 months.
The then Liberal state government in 2019 set a target of reaching 100 per cent “net” renewables by 2030, before the current Labor government accelerated that target to 2027, and enshrined it into law, based on the planning for new wind and solar projects, battery storage and transmission.
New state Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia reversed course on renewables last year, supporting the federal Coalition’s plan to build nuclear power at seven sites across Australia, including at Port Augusta in South Australia, the site of the coal fired power stations that closed nearly a decade ago.
However, speaking to ABC Radio Adelaide, Tarzia has now backed away from his party’s election commitment to hold a Royal Commission into nuclear energy, saying it was clear that the technology has been “comprehensively rejected” by the electorate.
A potential nuclear future had been a top priority for the South Australian Liberal Party, promising in June last year to hold yet another Royal Commission into the technology. This was followed in August by the appointment of Stephen Patterson, the state MP for Morphett, as spokesman for Nuclear Readiness.
Tarzia’s comments came after the Liberals lost the last of their Adelaide based federal seats, including the once safe seat of Sturt, in last weekend’s federal election campaign…………………………………. https://reneweconomy.com.au/s-a-liberals-who-first-pushed-100-pct-renewables-then-went-nuclear-reverse-course-after-poll-wipeout/
1 This month
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Antinuclear 