Western Australia’s “uranium bonanza” just not happening
WA’s uranium promises fail to appear, Midwest Times, Dave Sweeney, 21 Nov 18 Ten years ago this week then premier Colin Barnett ended Western Australia’s long-standing ban on uranium mining.
Industry promoters boasted of a new mining sector that would be “iron ore on steroids” and the speculation and exploration began in earnest.
In the intervening decade widespread community concern and resistance, combined with a depressed commodity price and a growing appetite for renewable energy, has seen the uranium dream fade.
Today there is not one commercial or fully approved uranium mine despite years of promotion and preferential treatment, and the few projects that continue to seek approval are strongly contested.
This is good news for WA and beyond as uranium is a mineral with unique properties and risks that cause local damage and fuel global risk.
Thanks to those who have helped keep the brakes on this contaminating trade and who have a perspective that lasts longer than a politician’s promise.
NATIONAL GROUP CONGRATULATES WESTERN AUSTRALIA NUCLEAR FREE CAMPAIGN
 https://nuclearfree.wordpress.com/2018/11/28/national-group-congratulates-western-australia-nuclear-free-campaign/
This week marks 10 years since the ban on uranium mining was overturned by the former State Government in Western Australia. The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) sends a strong message of support and congratulations to the communities who have been so strong in their opposition to uranium mining in Western Australia. 10 years after the ban was overturned Western Australia remains free of any operating uranium mines.“We are happy to say there are no operating uranium mines in WA today and no immediate likelihood of any mines being constructed. This is a is a great time to acknowledge and pay tribute to the staunch communities who have stood strong, to the supporters the campaign and the stunning country that remains nuclear free.” West Australian ANFA co-chair Vicky Abdullah said today.
The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) formed in 1997 and is a committed national network of aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups working together to halt the threat of the nuclear industry. ANFA continues to make very real and positive differences and deliver significant results and has played a pivotal role for communities in Western Australia working to protect country and culture from nuclear developments. Over the last 10 years, ANFA has worked hard to support WA communities challenging unwanted uranium exploration, mines and waste dump proposals. Today, there are four proposed uranium mines being contested, Mulga Rock, Yeelirrie, Wiluna and Kintyre. Each community has been very public in opposition to uranium mining and all have been well represented at the annual ANFA meetings. ANFA Co-chair, Vicky Abdhullah continued: “This week, 10 years since the WA government overturned the ban on uranium mining with still no mines built is a strong example for Aboriginal communities that if you hold out and stand strong for country – you can win. We will continue to support the campaign in Western Australia to make sure uranium is left in the ground“ ANFA co-chair Vicky Abdullah concluded. |
|
Crossbench joins Julie Bishop and Labor in renewed push for energy agreement
|
ABC By political reporter Jackson Gothe-Snape 28 Nov 18, Crossbenchers are demanding action on energy following the Government’s decision to abandon its signature policy, the National Energy Guarantee (NEG).
Key points:
However they are wary over the role of renewable energy in any potential compromise. Liberal MP Julie Bishop, the party’s former deputy leader, announced on Tuesday that she wanted her party to revive the NEG. Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie echoed those calls and urged the Government to find an agreement with Labor, saying the industry needed a bipartisan policy for investment certain……..https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-27/bishop-gets-crossbench-support-on-energy/10557446 |
|
How to squash democracy – Australia’s National Radioactive Waste Management Facility shows the way, in Quorn, South Australia
Anti-Nuclear Coalition of South Australia, 27 Nov 18 Today at Quorn, the NRWMF Taskforce has vetoed Flinders Ranges’ residents their democratic right to participate in community consultation re the proposed radioactive suppository.
Tomorrow at 1pm the bureaucrats supporting that gag order will be facing members of the ANC at 26 Franklin Street.
To voice your displeasure at DIIS denying local participation; join us at 12:45 outside their Adelaide Bunker.
In any case, this is a National issue & the scapegoats of regional S.Aust need all of us to stand firm against such Federal victimisation. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zIzX4KpM-io84DHJFg3i30mEFGDiN5k4
MORE about this: Continue reading
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison furiously against the Big School Walkout for Climate Action.
theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/26/scott-morrison-tells-students-striking-over-climate-change-to-be-less-activist
Prime minister is labelled ‘out of touch’ after he says let the politicians not schoolchildren deal with the issue
Scott Morrison has been labelled “out of touch” for angrily condemning a national student strike to protest government inaction on climate change.
The prime minister implored children to stay in class rather than protesting things that “can be dealt with outside of school”.
“Each day I send my kids to school and I know other members’ kids should also go to school but we do not support our schools being turned into parliaments,” Morrison told parliament on Monday.
“What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools.”
Morrison furiously reacted to Greens MP Adam Bandt during question time about the protest, dubbed the Big School Walkout for Climate Action.
Hundreds of Australian school students are vowing to put the books away and converge on MP offices and parliaments around the country this Friday.
Morrison began his answer to Bandt’s question by saying climate change is a “very real and serious issue” that demands attention.
He said the government was acting on climate change through initiatives such as the emissions reduction fund and the renewable energy target.
“We are committed to all of these things, but I will tell you what we are also committed to – kids should go to school,” Morrison said.
Bandt said he had met with some of the students involved and backed their actions.
“The PM is unbelievably out of touch with young people, not only in Australia but around the world,” he said.
“These students want a leader to protect their future, but they got a hectoring, ungenerous and condescending rebuke from someone even worse than Tony Abbott.”
Australian Youth Climate Coalition spokesperson Laura Sykes said Morrison had shown “irrational outrage” to students who care about their education.
“It was shocking see our prime minister condemning students as young as eight, who are sacrificing a day of schooling to stand up for a safe climate future,” Sykes told AAP.
“When young people try to have a voice in politics, Scott Morrison is shutting them down, yet he’s happy to listen to the coal lobby and big corporations who continue to profit from making climate change worse.”
Events are planned in all capital cities, along with about 20 regional areas.
Hawker community given telecommunications bribe, BUT THEY STILL CAN REJECT NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP ANYWAY
Communities at the centre of the radioactive waste management debate benefit from “goodwill” funding, Amy Green, Transcontinental, 26 Nov 18
Unreliable mobile phone coverage between Hawker and Leigh creek will soon be a thing of the past with the planned installation of a new mobile base station on Wonoka Hill.
Telstra will work with the Barndioota Consultative Committee (BCC), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North and the Outback Communities Australia (OCA) to improve telecommunications in the notorious ‘black spots’. The project has been bolstered by federal funding as part of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Program……
The federal government planned to make a decision on the future of the facility by the end of the year, but after continued delays – and a battle in the Supreme Court of South Australia – will now have to wait until after January 30…….
Australia’s transition to clean energy gets a boost with Victorian Labor’s whopping victory
Labor’s smashing win in Victoria a huge tonic for Australia’s clean energy transition, REneweconomy, 26 November 2018 The relief from Victoria’s stunning election result this weekend was palpable. Not just to those in the renewable energy and energy storage industries, but to anyone interested and concerned about the clean energy transition, tackling climate change, and with an eye to Australia’s economic and environmental future.
Earthquake close to Federal govt’s planned nuclear waste dump site – Kimba South Australia
Earthquake Felt In Cleve Kimba Area Last Night. 3.7 On The Scale.
Geoscience Australia said 13 reports of the tremor had been received from Whyalla. The tremor was magnitude 3.7 on the Richter scale at a depth of 10 kilometres.
It was felt as far away as Kadina on Yorke Peninsula.
A Geoscience spokesman at the National Earthquake Alerts Centre in Canberra said that In the past 100 years there had been more than 300 earthquakes in the region. …https://www.whyallanewsonline.com.au/story/5772041/tremor-hits-whyalla/
Friday November 30 – Australian students Strike For Climate Action
Students in each state capital and across 20 regional Australian centres will walk out of their classrooms this week to tell politicians that more of the same climate inaction is not good enough.
Here are some of the lessons they hope to teach.
‘If we really want a better planet Earth’ Continue reading
Revolving doors: Australian politicians move seamlessly from government to fossil fuel industries
Revolving Doors Top 24 Former Australian politicians with links to fossil fuel & resource extraction industries. https://www.michaelwest.com.au/revolving-doors-top-24/
Nuclear waste headed for rural South Australia – “too dangerous for Lucas Heights”
Australian Senate vote – a resounding NO to a nuclear power development Bill
Hanson supports Bernardi on Nuclear Energy: Senate says No https://scorchinghotnews.com/hanson-supports-bernardi-on-nuclear-energy-senate-says-no/?fbclid=IwAR3yUI10cm2ts_fz5uIs9UTA7m_ZhTYzFAfmfZK4ElGRkkP3TDx2mrNEC4s 29 Oct 18The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Division Data Division: NOES 45 (38 majority) AYES 7 PAIRS 0
Ayes: F. Anning, C Bernardi, P. Giorgiou, P Hanson, D Hinch, D Leyonhjelm, TR Storer
Senator RUSTON- (who voted NO) – “ The government currently has no plans to review the ban on nuclear generation. ”
Senator BERNARDI (South Australia): I move: Continue reading
Labor to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG), and promote renewable energy – bigtime
Bill Shorten to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s energy policy, pledges to throw billions at renewables, ABC 21 Nov 18 By political editor Andrew Probyn and political reporter Melissa Clarke Australian households will be offered federal rebates to install solar storage batteries under a federal Labor energy policy that will also direct billions of taxpayer dollars at solar, wind and hydro projects.
Key points:
- Labor to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG)
- Rebates for households and businesses to install batteries if Labor wins election
- Pledge of $10 billion for Clean Energy Finance Corporation
With climate and energy expected to be subjects of fierce battle ahead of the election next year, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will unveil Labor’s long-awaited policy today.
The ABC understands Mr Shorten will formally adopt former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s ill-fated National Energy Guarantee (NEG) as Labor policy.
Though Mr Shorten is likely to frame ALP adoption of the NEG as an attempt to find common ground with the Coalition on energy and climate change, it will also serve to give Labor political cover against Coalition attack.
The NEG, which was enthusiastically backed by then-energy minister and current Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, was twice supported by the Liberal party room but was dropped in August after some Coalition conservatives continued agitating against the policy.
“We remain committed to a bipartisan solution, if that is possible,” Shadow Energy Minister Mark Butler told AM.
“But we’re not going to wait for this Government.
“We’re willing to work with them, but we’re not willing to wait for them.”
Mr Shorten will recommit a Labor Government to a 45 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030, based on 2005 levels.
He will promise massive spending on renewable energy projects, with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to have its funding topped up to $10 billion………..https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-21/labor-energy-policy-ahead-of-election/10519018
Lack of network planning threatens Australia’s renewable electricity future, expert warns
ABC North Qld , By Tom Major 22 Nov 18 Australia’s boom in renewable energy faces an impasse unless more is done to develop infrastructure to complement wind, solar and pumped hydro storage systems, an expert has warned.
The expanding footprint of renewables represents a radical change from traditional large-scale, centralised generation, necessitating more national planning for sending power where it is needed.
Australian National University’s Energy Change Institute director Kenneth Baldwin said the remote locations of present and future renewable facilities meant Australia’s 20th century power grid required reform.
“This is a seismic shift in the way electricity is generated and distributed,” he said.
“In the future it will look much more like the internet of energy, in the same way that the internet developed into multiple nodes and many different interconnecting pathways.
“All these features of the future energy landscape are located in areas that are not necessarily where the demand is, so you have to arrange the electricity network to access the best resources and the best storage.”
Big potential unrealised
Spikes in radiation monitored during bushfires near Lucas Heights nuclear site
15th April 2018 – Residents told to “Shelter in place”, Peter Daley
technologypals.com.au, 20 Nov 18
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) local radiation monitor station shows significant spikes in radiation during the fire event.
Below are screen shots from the ANSTO radiation monitoring station at Endagine. Endagine is located East of the Lucas Heights reactor.
What caused this spike in local radiation?
Did the fire release local radioactive contamination?
Reactor venting?
Fault in equipment?
Their rainfall monitor shows it definitely was not raining at the time of these detections, so these detections can’t be explained away as Radon wash out events.
Radiation Spike plus rainfall chart 15th to 16th April
More Radiation detection spikes showing on the live Engadine ANSTO monitor station chart, 19th April.
ANSTO live monitoring site,
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/235274195556
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 
