Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Australian Conservation Foundation encourages all voters to recognise the coming CLIMATE ELECTION


Sector Action Needed For the ‘Climate Election’  https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/10/sector-action-needed-climate-election/ The environmental sector needs to step up efforts to ensure serious action on climate change is part of all political parties’ federal election platform, a sector leader says.   Wednesday, 31st October 2018  Maggie Coggan, Journalist Kelly O’Shanassy, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) CEO, spoke to Pro Bono News following an address to the National Press Club on Tuesday, where she expressed her concern over the impact of climate change, and the inaction of politicians.O’Shanassy said the ACF, along with other environmental organisations, were tired of the climate dysfunction coming out of Canberra, and titled the upcoming election the “climate election”.

“For decades ACF has knocked on the doors of Parliament House with climate policy solutions, supported by community and business, only to see them vanish into thin air because of weak political leadership,” O’Shanassy said on Tuesday.

“We are tired of government after government at the national level, failing Australians on climate change, and so, we decided to do something about it.”

O’Shanassy said the lack of action from politicians on climate change, combined with an increased awareness from the public on the damage it had already done, meant it was the perfect time to focus attention and energy on the issue.

She encouraged environmental groups involved in the election to start conversations with voters about climate change, and the solutions that were out there that politicians were yet to take action on.“We would encourage everyone in the environment sector to make climate a focus, to be part of our million conversations, to talk about climate damage that is here now, but also the solutions that are here now,” she said.

“This upcoming election matters, and people can create a safer future through their vote.”

She said polling data showed about 70 to 80 per cent of the Australian community did want government action on climate change, and so it was important for the sector to harness those views in order to push change.

“My warning to politicians that ignore climate change, is do so at your political peril because the Australian community have moved on, the mood of the nation has changed, and people want action,” she said.

November 3, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, politics | 1 Comment

Labor must keep to its strong nuclear-free policy

Uranium

  1. The production of uranium and its use in the nuclear fuel cycle present unique and unprecedented hazards and risks, including:
  • Threats to human health and the local environment in the mining and milling of uranium and management of radioactive materials, which demand the enforcement of strict safety procedures;
  • The generation of products that are usable as the raw materials for nuclear weapons manufacture, which demands the enforcement of effective controls against diversion; and
  • The generation of highly toxic radioactive waste by-products that demand permanently safe disposal methods.
  1. Labor accordingly will allow the mining and export of uranium only under the most stringent conditions.
  1. In relation to mining and milling, Labor will:
  • Ensure the safety of workers in the uranium industry is given priority. Labor has established acompulsory register for workers in the uranium industry that includes regular health checks and ongoing monitoring. The register is held by an independent agency and will be subject to privacy provisions;
  • Ensure Australian uranium mining, milling and rehabilitation is based on world best practice standards, extensive continuing research on environmental impacts and the health and safety of employees and affected communities, particularly Indigenous communities;
  • Ensure the Australian public is informed about the quality of the environmental performance of uranium mines through public accountability mechanisms;
  • Foster a constructive relationship between mining companies and Indigenous communities affected by uranium mining; and
  • Prohibit the mining of uranium within national parks under International Union for Conservation of Nature protected area category 1A, category 1B, and category 2, and listed world heritage areas.
  1. In relation to exports other than to India, Labor will allow the export of uranium only to those countries that observe the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), are committed to nonproliferation policies, and have ratified international and bilateral nuclear safeguards agreements.

Labor will export uranium only to countries that maintain strict safeguards and security controls over their nuclear power industries.

CHAPTER 3: BUILDING AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE 57

  1. In relation to India, an important strategic partner for Australia, commitments and responsible actions in support of nuclear non-proliferation, consistent with international guidelines on nuclear supply, will provide an acceptable basis for peaceful nuclear cooperation, including the export of uranium, subject to the application of strong safeguards.
  1. In addition, Labor will work towards:
  • Strengthening export control regimes and the rights and authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);
  • Appropriate international responses to violations of existing safeguard commitments;
  • Limiting the processing of weapon usable material (separation of plutonium and high

enriched uranium in civilian programs);

  • Tightening controls over the export of nuclear material and technology;
  • Universalising of the IAEA additional protocol making it mandatory for all states and

members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to adhere to the additional protocol as a condition

of supply to all their transfers;

  • Criminalising actions of individuals and companies that assist in nuclear proliferation;
  • The development of an international guarantee of nuclear fuel supply to states foregoing

sensitive nuclear technologies;

  • Revising the NPT to prevent countries from withdrawing from the NPT and passing a new resolution in the United Nations Security Council addressing the penalties for withdrawal from the NPT;
  • Encouraging all nuclear states to join the NPT;
  • Reserving the right to withhold supplies of uranium permanently, indefinitely or for a specified period from any country that ceases to observe the non-proliferation safeguards and security conditions applied to Australian uranium exports to that country, or which adopts nuclear practices or policies that do not further advance the cause of nuclear nonproliferation;
  • Supporting the maintenance and enhancement of international and Australian safeguards to ensure that uranium mined in Australia, and nuclear products derived from it, are used only for civil purposes by approved instrumentalities in approved countries that are signatories to the NPT (with the exception of India) and with whom Australia has safeguard arrangements; and
  • Seeking adequate international resourcing of the IAEA to ensure its effectiveness in undertaking its charter.
  1. Labor will progress these commitments through diplomatic means including the re-establishment of the Canberra Commission to re-invigorate Australia’s tradition of middle power, multilateral diplomacy. In doing so, Labor believes that as a non-nuclear armed nation and a good international citizen, Australia can make a significant contribution to promoting disarmament, the reduction of nuclear stockpiles, and the responsible use of nuclear technology.
  1. Labor will:
  • Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste;

CHAPTER 3: BUILDING AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE 58

  •  Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia;

  • Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and
  • Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.

November 3, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, reference | Leave a comment

Mike Cannon-Brookes’ campaign to reclaim ‘fair dinkum power’ swamped –

https://www.afr.com/news/mike-cannonbrookes-campaign-to-reclaim-fair-dinkum-power-swamped-20181101-h17eaq  – Mike Cannon-Brookes’ campaign to reclaim the phrase “fair dinkum power” from Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been swamped with offers of support, and the Atlassian billionaire is in the process of registering a trademark for a logo to promote renewable energy.

Mr Cannon-Brookes said he had had hundreds of tweets and emails expressing support and even offering donations since starting the campaign on Wednesday, but was funding the exercise himself.

He is exploring options for licensing the logo – a green power plug connected to a leaf with the words “FAIR DINKUM POWER” that emerged from an online competition – through the creative commons so people can use it without paying a licence fee.

He would not comment on whether there has been any contact with the Prime Minister’s office 24 hours after launching his campaign on Twitter out of frustration and anger with what he calls Mr Morrison’s dishonest appropriation of the words “fair dinkum power”.

Mr Morrison has defined the expression to mean power that can be switched on and off at will when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining but critics say this is just code for extending the life of old coal power stations or even building new ones – something no power investor has done for more than 10 years.

Like ‘Heart Foundation’ sticker

Mr Cannon-Brookes said he envisaged the logo being “like a Heart Foundation sticker” or something people can put on T-shirts, bumper bars or home batteries and solar panels to promote renewable energy and try to shift the Morrison government’s narrative from its pro-fossil fuels stance.

He said this was hypocritical given that the government’s own power company Snowy Hydro had decided to double its rollout of wind and solar energy because it is cheaper than hydro and can even undercut the operating cost of existing black coal power stations at current coal prices.

As an indication of how quickly the campaign is catching on, he said he was putting air in the tyres of his Tesla at a BP service station in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at 7.30 on Thursday morning on the school run – when a man yelled out, “That’s not fair dinkum power”, then let out a huge belly laugh and said, “Good on you.”

His end goal is to convince people that wind and solar energy are cheaper than coal or gas or hydro energy and his vision, or “life mission”, is for Australia to be “200 per cent renewable energy powered” – in other words, to export as much energy as it consumes, all from renewable sources.

“It’s a bit of a life mission for me and I’m determined to see us get there,” Mr Cannon-Brookes told The Australian Financial Review. “I do think it’s the biggest economic opportunity for our generation, and it’s amazing that we do not talk more about it.”

More sun, wind and hydro

He said Australia had more wind, sun and hydro resources than fossil fuels in the ground but “we never talk about it that way” and the Minerals Council of Australia never mentions the solar resources that the nation is blessed with.

“I don’t think the politicians are being honest when they tell you that coal is cheaper and it’s factually not true.”

He revealed the logo for the campaign on Channel Ten’s The Project on Thursday evening and said he was appearing on the show because “I have got to take every opportunity I can to convince the broader population that renewables are cheaper”.

The trademark application is already under way and the Atlassian co-founder is seeking advice on how the creative commons licensing system can be used to allow people to use the logo to promote renewable energy while restricting its use for non-approved commercial use – for example to promote so-called “clean coal”.

 

November 3, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy | Leave a comment

Severe fire danger as heat hits New South Wales East coast

NSW east coast now in ‘severe’ fire danger as mercury soars SMH , 2 Nov 18 Drier than expected conditions have put Sydney and much of the NSW east coast in severe fire danger, as the city experiences a “low intensity heatwave” on Friday afternoon.

A large mass of hot air moving across the state is driving temperatures up towards 40 degrees in some parts, fanned by strong winds above 30km/h.

At the peak, the mercury had hit 38.9 degrees at Sydney Airport, 37.6 degrees in Camden, 37.1 degrees at Observatory Hill and 38.8 degrees at Horsley Park. Statewide, White Cliffs in the far west, notched 43.3 degrees……..

Fires burn near Canberra and Newcastle

Firefighters were already battling an out-of-control blaze south-west of Canberra on Thursday night and continue to fight it today. The fire is burning erratically at Pierces Creek, about 8km from the nearest suburb……..

Exceptionally warm Australia was “exceptionally warm” last month, with mean temperatures 1.83 degrees above the 1961-90 average, making it the fourth warmest October on record, the bureau said.

Minimum temperatures were the second warmest on record, behind only 2015……

While Sydney’s October rainfall was twice the average at 167.6 millimetres, evaporation rates were almost as high at 160.6 millimetres meaning the rainfall deficient barely budged.

Elsewhere, the big dry has expanded beyond NSW and Queensland, with Tasmania recording its third-driest October on record as rainfall dived 60 per cent below average for the month.

Victoria was also dry, continuing its run this year of below-average monthly rainfall totals with less than half the usual October rain. By mean temperatures, it was also that state’s fifth warmest October on record. https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/nsw-east-coast-now-in-severe-fire-danger-as-mercury-soars-20181102-p50dn1.html?promote_channel=edmail&mbnr=MTM2NDAwMjM&eid=email:nnn-13omn655-

November 3, 2018 Posted by | climate change - global warming, New South Wales | Leave a comment

Despite South Australia’s renewable energy success, are the Liberals targetting S.A. again for an international nuclear trash dump?

November 1, 2018 Posted by | South Australia, wastes | Leave a comment

City of Sydney calls on Australian govt to sign up to the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

ICAN Australia, October 30 

Last night, the City of Sydney unanimously adopted a motion calling on the Australian Government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Congratulations!
We hope many cities and towns will join Sydney and Melbourne in endorsing the ICAN Cities Appeal.

 

November 1, 2018 Posted by | New South Wales, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Radioactive pollution problems: Australia’s rare earths mine in Malaysia

Australian mining plant in Malaysia faces radioactive waste inquiry, As China, the world’s largest producer of rare earth metals, scales back its export operations, the future of Australia’s industry is under a cloud. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australian-mining-plant-in-malaysia-faces-radioactive-waste-inquiry  By Jarni Blakkarly  30 Oct 18, The Chinese government has announced a slashing in the production of rare earth metals, a type of metal used in a range of high-tech products from mobile phones to wind turbines and electric cars.

The country, which is the largest producer and consumer of rare earth metals, has cut its quota for the separation and smelting of rare earths by 36 percent, Reuters reported last week.

China produces roughly 80 per cent of the world’s rare earth metals and the move will likely send global prices skyrocketing. Meanwhile, the joint Australian-Malaysian rare earths operation run by Perth company Lynas, the only major production plant outside of China, is having its own problems.

Earlier this month, the Malaysian government launched a broad parliamentary inquiry into the mine and the management of its radioactive waste.

The Australian company mines rare earth metals in Western Australia before shipping them to Malaysia for processing.

Resources analyst Dylan Kelly from finance group CLSA told SBS News: “It is really critical in a strategic sense as the only real rare earth producer outside of mainland China and one that is high in quality and it is highly sought after in terms of strategic interest, not just for the Japanese, but also the US.”

But questions remain over the management of radioactive waste from the plant and what long-term solutions are in place for its management.

RMIT Professor of environmental engineering Gavin Mudd told SBS News all rare earths processing involves the generation of radioactive thorium and sometimes uranium waste.

The company’s current long-term waste management plans involve repurposing that waste into a soil fertilizer product, but Professor Mudd says not enough has been done yet to guarantee the by-product would be safe.

“Historically the rare earths industry hasn’t got a good track record in being able to demonstrate that safety case,” he said.

While the current government inquiry appears unlikely to shut the processing plant down in its entirety, Professor Mudd says more can be done in terms of increasing environmental reporting and public disclosure around the plant.

Lynas declined to comment to SBS News ahead of the inquiry, but in the past has defended its waste management practices as safe and transparent.

When the plant was approved in 2012 it set a wave of protests by thousands of concerned locals, which was largely ignored by the government.

But with the Opposition coming to power in a surprise election victory in May, the new government is taking a closer look at the plant.

Local Kuantan MP Faziah Salleh says the company needs to develop a new long-term storage plan for the radioactive waste.

“The company has to think about how they dispose of their radioactive waste, because Malaysians, especially people of [the city of] Kuantan, will not except the waste being left … dumped in our backyard, as it is right now,” she said.

The inquiry is due to report back to the government before the end of the year.

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, rare earths | 10 Comments

Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in disarray – costs and safety problems

 

 

 

Delays hold back nuclear medicine – SEAN PARNELL, OCTOBER 26, 2018 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/delays-hold-back-nuclear-medicine/news-story/16d8606ac2f0e5c1d8e9010ea316aa74

Australia’s production of nuclear medicine is in disarray, with a promised world-class manufacturing plant running two years behind schedule, unresolved questions over waste management, and broader concerns over ageing facilities and safety issues at Lucas Heights.

A conveyor breakdown in June at building 23 — where a ­series of safety incidents prompted a damning independent review — has caused ongoing supply issues throughout Australia and overseas.

The Weekend Australian has learned the existing plant will not be able to resume full domestic production of generators until next year. Amid the disruptions, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has been forced to import generators and trade local ingredients with an American producer. It is refusing to detail how much the inefficient workaround is costing.

One of the safety incidents that prompted a rare intervention by the regulator was caused by a wheel falling off a trolley. It has now emerged the conveyor breakdown was caused by damage to the guide rails that other trolleys use and the conveyor chain guides themselves.

With nuclear medicine stakeholders expressing frustration at the ongoing delays, and a perceived lack of transparency by ANSTO, Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen ­Andrews has asked the agency to respond to the internal review as a priority.

“I’ve also sought assurance from ANSTO that they are supplying the market at normal levels,” Ms Andrews said.

Stakeholders had raised concerns with the minister’s predecessor without response and point to continuing practice ­restrictions.

A new $168.8 million plant, to be known as ANSTO Nuclear Medicine, was meant to be operational in 2016 and as much as triple the production of generators, making Australia a major global player. However, it will not be operational before early next year — ANSTO will not say if the budget has blown out — and license conditions set by the Australian Radiation Protection and ­Nuclear Safety Agency add to the challenges.

ARPANSA will not allow any overall increase in production until the existing plant is decommissioned, adding to delays, and is demanding more information on plans for a new waste-management facility — including contingency plans should it, too, be delayed.

The ANM would also rely on building 23 which, like the existing plant, was built in the 1950s and is past its use-by date. The independent review revealed ANSTO wanted to replace the building “but federal government budget restrictions have meant that this has not been progressed”.

“A number of additions and modifications have been made to the facility, but these cannot possibly resolve all of the issues associated with a facility not designed for its current use,” the review concluded.

Ms Andrews would not be drawn on the issue, saying it was a matter for ANSTO to respond to the independent review, which also raised concerns over culture.

ARPANSA is overseeing the independent review and has given ANSTO more time to respond to the recommendations.

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, business, safety | Leave a comment

Legal action in Western Australia means delay, uncertainty, for Cameco’s Yeelirrie uranium mine

October 29, 2018 Posted by | legal, uranium, Western Australia | Leave a comment

Nuclear lobby revs up its frenzied campaign in Australia. Ben Heard is their front man.

Frazer-Nash Consultant, Ben Heard, will be speaking at The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne on Wednesday 31 October.  Nuclear Fuel Cycle Watch South Australia.

Steve Dale “Ben will be giving the keynote address, “Nuclear power in Australia: an ongoing debate”, which discusses the changing nature of the Australian power industry.”

It is only an ongoing debate because lobbyists and unknown sourced lobbying money have such a corrupting influence on our politics. The nuclear push is reaching fever pitch because a lot pro-nuclear pollies will probably be gone after the next election – and the cross bench may get their wish of a Federal ICAC – which could shine a spotlight on the corrupting influence of Nuclear cack lobbying.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021186047913052/permalink/2171512056213773/?comment_id=2173512052680440&notif_id=1540684271625148&notif_t=group_comment

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, spinbuster | 1 Comment

New member of Parliament, Kerryn Phelps, will push for strong role for Climate Change Authority

First thing’: Phelps set sights on reviving fortunes of climate body, Brisbane Times, By Peter Hannam, 27 October 2018  Kerryn Phelps, the likely new member for Wentworth, will push for the revival of the near-defunct Climate Change Authority as part of her efforts to advance action on global warming at a federal level.

Dr Phelps, who appears to hold an unassailable lead of 1783 votes for the seat vacated by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, said her determination to emphasise cutting carbon emissions and advancing renewable energy was reinforced by a meeting in Sydney on Saturday with ex-Kiribati president Anote Tong.

Dr Phelps said that while Mr Tong’s island nation faced immediate threats from rising sea-levels, the former leader stressed that “sooner or later everyone will be on the frontline” from threats wrought by a warming world.

The independent candidate said it was clear from this month’s byelection that climate change – and the lack of federal policies – was among the highest concerns for Wentworth voters.

If she takes her seat in Parliament as expected next month, Dr Phelps said an early target will be to restore the Climate Change Authority.

It’s the first thing that we could actually do – to reinstate the funding and the scientific credibility of the Climate Change Authority,” Dr Phelps told Fairfax Media. “It’s very important that we do have an independent authority looking at the evidence and providing advice to governments.”……

Many Pacific islands are low-lying or have populations clustered to coasts that facing inundation from rising sea levels. Salt water intrusion into groundwater and exposure to more powerful cyclones are other risks.

Earlier this month, environment minister Melissa Price was accused of disrespecting the Pacific leader by telling him during a chance meeting in a Canberra restaurant that the region was “always” seeking cash and she had her chequebook ready. Ms Price denied she made such comments but she did ring later to say she wished no offence……. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/first-thing-phelps-set-sights-on-reviving-fortunes-of-climate-body-20181027-p50cd3.html

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, politics | Leave a comment

Ben Heard and pro nuclear company Frazer Nash pushing for nuclear Australia

 

 

New industry white paper for Australia from  published for the coming mining conference: ‘Identifying the role for nuclear power in Australia’s energy transition’. “Free download” from International Mining and Resources Conference – but ya gotta fill in dirty great forms to read it. The nuke lobby doesn’t want outsiders in on this

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Climate change policy – the wrecking ball that destroys Australia’s prime ministers

What has been clear is that the task is hugely difficult for reasons Kevin Rudd recently underlined.

One is the daunting task of convincing a current generation to make sacrifices for a future one.

Australian politics an unwieldy wrecking ball claiming PM’s careers, IT HAS already destroyed four Aussie prime ministers, and now the very same wrecking ball is about to smash Scott Morrison as well. News.com.au 29 Oct 18 Malcolm Farr@farrm51

IT’S the uncontrollable wrecking ball of Australian politics which so far has smashed the careers of four prime ministers.

And now it could be swinging Scott Morrison’s way, just as it had towards Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard from Labor, and his Liberal colleagues Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

This demolition beast is climate change policy and the inability of politicians to present coherent schemes of their own or to resist misrepresenting those of rivals.

To dodge the ball of policy destruction Prime Minister Morrison is attempting to please everyone.

He wants a system which will lower emissions, encourage coal-fired power stations, force private power companies to divest assets, promote new generating technologies, and cut household electricity bills.

It’s a political strategy more than a global warming response, constructed to appease the array of cemented positions on energy policy within the Liberal Party rather than the wishes of consumers, including business.

It has a touch of former prime minister Tony Abbott’s unsuccessful Direct Action scheme and a taste of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee. Continue reading →

October 29, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, politics | Leave a comment

As Antarctica thaws, China, Russia and others move in

October 28, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, politics international | Leave a comment

Scott Morrison’s desperate electricity measures have no real policy future

Sensible electricity rules await the next government, Brisbane Times By Ross Gittins, 28 October 2018  You can call it populism or you can call it desperation. In the case of Scott Morrison’s recent problem-solving efforts, desperation fits better. And wouldn’t you be?

Morrison is probably right in concluding it’s too late in the piece to be worried about carefully considered, long-lasting solutions to the many problems contributing to his government’s unpopularity………

Morrison has an election to avoid losing. If Tony Abbott hadn’t greatly compounded the problem by abolishing the carbon tax, you could feel a bit sorry for Morrison. The monumental stuff-up of the move to a national electricity market, with its price blowouts at every level – generation, transmission and distribution, and retail – was decades in the making.
Only with the doubling of retail prices over the past decade has realisation dawned that the federalgovernment can’t escape ultimate political responsibility for a “national” market run by a squabbling committee of state and territory energy ministers.

But Morrison’s announcement last week of a desperate collection of good, bad and indifferent measures to get retail prices down in a hurry – or at least appear to be getting them down – seems no better than a crude attempt to bludgeon some quick retail price cuts out of the three oligopolists that have come to dominate the market.

As was powerfully demonstrated by the events leading to the overthrow of Malcolm Turnbull, no government whose members can’t agree that the threat of climate change is real is capable of achieving a policy regime that restores a stable future for the energy industry. …….https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/sensible-electricity-rules-await-the-next-government-20181028-p50cfq.html

October 28, 2018 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, politics | Leave a comment

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