Make Roxby Downs Indenture Act discussion transparent, and study environmental issues, say Greens
Weatherill must back Roxby words with action, 27 Oct 11 Greens Leader Mark Parnell has welcomed Premier Jay Weatherill’s call for the special Parliamentary Committee examining the Roxby Expansion to be an ‘open process’ that hears from critics of the project.
In response to pressure from the Greens, today’s hearings of the Select Committee into the Olympic Dam expansion legislation were opened up to the media and public. However, at this stage the Committee – made up of 4 Labor and 3 Liberal MPs – has no plans to hear from any other witnesses apart from the 3 pro-expansion spruikers: the Government ODX Taskforce, BHP and the Chamber of Mines, despite other requests from scientific and environmental experts to appear. The Committee has only 2 days left to schedule hearings.
“I welcome the Premier’s intervention, but he has to back his words with action,” said Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell. “Time is well and truly running out to hear from anyone else. If the Committee is genuine about keeping faith with the Premier, it will make a public call for submissions and offer an opportunity for those who have raised concerns in the past about this project to challenge the assertions made by BHP Billiton and the ODX Taskforce.
“The Greens have forced the door to be opened on these hearings. Now we insist these hearings must be open to other witnesses,” he said. Mark Parnell also rejected the claim by Committee Chair Tom Koutsantonis that the Parliamentary Committee should not be looking at the project’s environmental issues. “The Minister’s claims that the environmental issues with the expansion project were signed away with the EIS approval is rubbish,” said Mr Parnell.
“The Roxby Indenture legislation is all about the deal done with BHP on water, energy, waste tailings, the desalination plant and environmental monitoring. The reason BHP CE Marius Kloppers is crowing to his shareholders that this is a ‘low cost’ project is because SA is bearing all the environmental costs and not getting a fair share of the returns.
“So far, this Parliamentary Committee has failed to rigorously examine this project to ensure our State gets the best deal possible,” he said.
New Olympic Dam uranium mine unlikely to make any money from uranium
The Olympic Dam expansion would cost tens of billions of dollars, and BHP Billiton may want to secure more than longterm contracts to move forward with the expansion
URANIUM Olympic Dam Expansion Has Doubters But China May Hold the Cards. – Nuclear Intelligence Weekly, 27 Oct 11, . While BHP Billiton’s recent statements have indicated a willingness to proceed with the expansion of the Olympic Dam copper, uranium and gold mine, sources throughout the uranium industry are skeptical the project will ever come to fruition…….
An expansion would boost annual uranium production capacity from the current 4,500 metric tons of U3O8
(3,392 tU) to 19,000 MT U3O8 (16,112 tU). But after conducting a thorough outside analysis of the project, the producer said he concluded “it never ever makes money.” Continue reading
Behind closed doors, South Australian govt and uranium miners do Indenture Act deal
BHP’s Marius Kloppers flies in to meet Premier, Adelaide Now, by:State editor Greg Kelton ,October 27, 2011 IN his last
week as premier, Mike Rann flew to Melbourne to negotiate the Olympic Dam expansion with BHP boss Marius Kloppers.
But this week the BHP Billiton chief executive will fly to Adelaide to meet new Premier Jay Weatherill to discuss progress on the mine expansion indenture. The face-to-face meeting follows a telephone discussion at the weekend between Mr Weatherill and Mr Kloppers and a meeting yesterday between Mr Weatherill and BHP Billiton’s president (uranium customer sector group) Dean Dalla Valle…..
Legislation to ratify the agreement was introduced in Parliament last week by former treasurer Kevin Foley, who was minister assisting the Premier on the dam expansion….. On Tuesday the Liberal party room completed two days of briefings on the Olympic Dam project. It will have a joint party room meeting on November 8 to decide its position on the indenture.
The Greens yesterday accused the Government of turning scrutiny of the Olympic Dam indenture into a farce.
Greens leader Mark Parnell said a special parliamentary committee, which has to examine the agreement, was planning to hear from only three witnesses and prevent the media and public from attending the hearings.
Mr Parnell said the only groups invited to present evidence to the committee were the Government, BHP-Billiton and the Chamber of Mines.
“No advertising has been done and the hearings are set to be held behind closed doors,” he said, accusing the Government and Opposition of concocting the committee process. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/bhp-flies-in-to-meet-premier/story-e6frede3-1226177764951
As anti uranium protestors walk towards Perth, Western Australian police get extraordinary powers against protesors
Aussie police block “known protesters” from CHOGM venues, The Star Malaysia 26 Oct 11 PERTH: Australian police have served special notices to about 50 “known protesters” ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here. The individuals are deemed “security risk” and prevented from entering major parts of the city until Nov 4.
Australian media reported that Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan was given extraordinary powers to create the list under a special Act of State Parliament passed specifically for CHOGM. CHOGM security areas include the University of Western Australia, Burswood, Kings Park, parts of St George’s Terrace, Adelaide Terrace and the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Western Australian reported…..
The CHOGM Action Network, a coalition of activist groups, is planning a march to the CHOGM venue at Perth’s convention centre on the first day of the summit, and has told police it is expecting 1,000 marchers to attend.
Spokesman Alex Bainbridge said the protest theme was “justice and climate action, not racism and war” and protesters hoped to get as close as possible to Commonwealth leaders to get their messages across.Aboriginal rights, freeing detained asylum seekers, ending the war in Afghanistan and promoting renewable energy would be highlighted during a number of protest events, he said…. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/25/nation/20111025152648&sec=nation
A breakthrough wind turbine design in Victoria, Australia
VIDEO
http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=15749 Australian Company Launches World’s Quietest Wind Turbine, AZO CleanTech October 26, 2011 Australian renewable energy
innovation continues to lead the way with the launch of the worlds’ quietest wind turbine, released to market this week. The cutting edge turbine stands 21 metres high and features a unique, intuitive blade design that is virtually silent.
The Eco Whisper Turbine is set to revolutionise delivery of renewable electricity supply for urban and rural applications, and is now in operation at a leading Australian manufacturer for viewing by industry, and energy sectors.
Renewable Energy Solutions Australia Holdings Ltd (RESA) an Australian Renewable Energy company and member of the Clean Energy Council of Australia, has unveiled the Eco Whisper Turbine the world’s quietest 20kW wind turbine in Geelong, Victoria.
The new Eco Whisper Turbine is an innovative 20 kW electricity-producing wind turbine that is virtually silent due to a unique cowl/ring that prevents air from spilling off the blades.
The Eco Whisper’s silent operation, and its ability to operate in a range of wind conditions, makes it ideal for urban developments, commercial sites and agricultural applications.
Currently on showcase at AUSTENG Engineering in Geelong, the Australian designed and manufactured wind turbine, has a number of advantages compared to comparable 3 blade designs, including: Continue reading
CHOGM – Australia will not sell uranium to India
Uranium exports to India off agenda at CHOGM , Business Spectator, 25 Oct 2011 Prime Minister Julia Gillard has ruled out changing the government’s stance on uranium exports to India, ahead of likely discussions on the issue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, according to The Australian newspaper.
According to the report, Ms Gillard said her position on the issue was unchanged as the developing nation is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“We do not have a policy that is particular about India but we do have a policy about the nuclear proliferation treaty,” she said….. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Uranium-exports-to-India-off-agenda-at-CHOGM-pd20111025-MXU9H?opendocument&src=rss
Western Australian govt will be cracking down on anti nuclear and other peaceful protestors
Barnett’s jail threat to human rights activist, SMH Courtney Trenwith, October 24, 2011 – A Perth protester says he has been officially threatened with jail if he enters a CBD exclusion zone during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting week. Seamus Doherty said WA Police notified him this morning that he was named on an excluded persons’ list and faced up to a year in jail if he entered designated security areas…..
“Naturally we’re worried about what we’ve seen in Sydney and Melbourne. No one can look at the footage of what the police actions were and say it was reasonably or justified actions by police.
“We’ve always said that our protest is a peaceful protest. All we’re planning to do is exercise our democratic right to assemble.”….”It is outrageous that non-violent, human-rights activists should suffer this kind of treatment by WA authorities.”..Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/barnetts-jail-threat-to-human-rights-activist-20111024-1mfpc.html#ixzz1bpHdO3Q1
CHOGM powers to haul in kids has watchdog snarling, THE AUSTRALIAN, BY:DEBBIE GUEST , October 20, 2011 THE inspector of Western Australia’s powerful corruption watchdog is worried about extraordinary police powers granted for next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The new laws — which take effect in Perth from today until November 5 — will allow police to haul children as young as 16 before a Corruption and Crime Commission examination…. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/chogm-powers-to-haul-in-kids-has-watchdog-snarling/story-e6frgczx-1226171
Interstate police officers arrive in Perth for CHOGM, ABC News Newcastle 19 Oct 11, “……Two planes carrying officers from South Australia and New South Wales arrived at Perth airport this afternoon. Those officers were the first of more than 700 extra police from across Australia and New Zealand who will arrive in the next few days for CHOGM…. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/chogm-police-arrive-in-perth/3579850/?site=newcastle
Silex solar project loss, and laser uranium enrichment problems
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been happy about Silex Systems getting government backing for its solar project. I know that these nuclear-related companies like to have a bet each way – in case the nuclear industry goes pear-shaped.
But it seems to me that there’s not much incentive for them to develop renewable energy, when their real stuff is in the nuclear industry. As with Silex’s dangerous laser enrichment technology – now being used by GE Hitachi in America. And there are questions there – with the American facility having 45 security violations! -Christina Macpherson
Silex downplays $30 million loss, A,BC News, 25 Oct 11 A company developing a major solar project in north-west Victoria says it is in a strong financial position, despite posting a $30 million loss in the past year.
Silex is developing power stations near Mildura using photovoltaic technology. The company has posted its annual report, including a net loss of $31.5 million….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-24/silex-posts-30m-loss/3597688
Secrecy and security violations in Silex laser uranium enrichment technology
NRC fines GE-Hitachi $45K over NC nuke test site, October 21, 2011 Bloomberg By EMERY P. DALESIO, RALEIGH, N.C. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has fined GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy $45,000 for multiple security violations at a North Carolina facility using classified technology to test whether lasers can be used to enrich uranium. Continue reading
Civil liberties out the door as Australia prepares for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
CHOGM protest organisers claim homes raided, phones confiscated, WA Today Courtney Trenwith October 14, 2011 WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan said police would use all the powers
at their disposal in the lead up to CHOGM after three protest organisers claimed their Perth homes were unfairly raided and accused police of heavy-handed tactics including surveillance and harassment……
One of the protestors, Colleen Bulger, claimed while her house was being ‘raided’ police suggested they had been conducting surveillance on her. “They kept asking about CHOGM and were very interested in leaflets we had around the house,” Ms Bulger said.
“When they arrested me they kept saying ‘we know more than you think’, and suggesting that I had been under surveillance. “It’s absolutely harassment and an attempt to intimidate us into stopping lawful activities.”
The group said their phones were confiscated in what they claimed was a move by police to download information in “an unnecessary breach of privacy”. Seamus Doherty said his car was confiscated after he was released without charge.
Mr Doherty, who is disabled, said he told the police that his car and phone were his lifelines to work and family and without them he risked losing his job and was stressed. The third member of the group, who did not want to be named, was not at home during the alleged raid but claimed he was followed by police to university where he was arrested on Thursday morning.
“They implied that the suspected offence wasn’t what concerned them, and that it was the protest that they were interested in,” he said. Pearl Lim, from civil rights action group Search For Your Rights, which is not associated with the CHOGM network, said the police action was heavy-handed.
“How can we claim to promote civil democracy across the Commonwealth when peaceful activists are intimidated by police in our own state?” she said. : http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/chogm-protest-organisers-claim-homes-raided-phones-confiscated-20111014-1log2.html#ixzz1bTWeIxeK
Western Australia’s police already targeting protest groups before CHOGM
Facebook intelligence used to target CHOGM protesters, WA Today, Aja Styles October 20, 2011 Police have been using social media to gather intelligence and monitor the movements of protest groups in a bid to quell troublemakers during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Yesterday the first of the 700 interstate and overseas police began to filter into Perth for the international event, with a specialist team from New Zealand due in the coming days……. protest actions, such as the Anti-Corporate Greed and Anti-Wall Street movements, have been widely monitored through Facebook and Twitter. Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/facebook-intelligence-used-to-target-chogm-protesters-20111019-1m879.html#ixzz1bTUtrdz0
Mike Rann sold South Australia short on Olympic Dam uranium mine
A case of Olympian incompetence by South Australia, THE AUSTRALIAN, BY:PAUL CLEARY ,October 21, 2011 THE royalty agreement negotiated by South Australia for BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam expansion has robbed the state’s citizens and all Australians of the opportunity to share in the profits of what will become the world’s biggest mine. (at left, Marius Kloppers CEO of BHP BIlliton, and Mike Rann, retiring Premier of South Australia.)
This deal is a monumental example of state government incompetence when it comes to acting as custodian of the nation’s mineral wealth.
South Australia has agreed to a regime based solely on percentages and even cents per tonne of the mine’s production. Mike Rann, who stands down today as Premier, has done South Australians a disservice that will cost them dearly for almost half a century. Continue reading
Senator Scott Ludlam refutes the spin of Australian Uranium Association
Uranium and health: industry has to face the unpleasant facts, SENATOR SCOTT LUDLAM, AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 22 Oct 11, Mr. Michael Angwin of the Australian Uranium Association has
objected to my statement to the ABC 1 that ‘Uranium mining has killed a lot of its workforce’, and has demanded I withdraw the comment.Michael Angwin spins about radiation for the Australian Uranium Association
Uranium miners accuse Greens of fearmongering, ABC News, Myles Morgan, October 21, 2011 “…….Uranium association chief executive Michael Angwin says the industry is relatively safe.
“There have been two recorded fatalities in the Australian uranium industry, neither of them caused by radiation,” he said.
“There is no evidence of deaths from radiation in the Australian uranium industry.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-21/20111021-uranium-miner-response/3592108
Still no radiation registering of Northern Territory’s uranium workers
NT URANIUM WORKERS STILL NOT ON NATIONAL REGISTER, GREENS SAY, Safe To Work, By Cole Latimer 20 October 2011 Uranium miners in the Northern Territory are still not on the National Radiation Dose Register, Greens senator Scott Ludlam says. It comes five months after Ludlam originally brought the issue to bear in May, with Ludlam today again quizzing representatives from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency on this issue.
“In July 2010 the register began collecting data on the radiation doses to which workers had been exposed. There are now over 18,000 workers on the database – covering about five years – but there is no information at all on the radiation workers have been exposed to at the Ranger Mine in the Northern Territory. We revealed this in May, and urged the Territory and Federal authorities to address it. ARPANSA told us today that nothing has changed, and to raise the issue with the office of energy and resources minister Martin Ferguson,” Ludlam said in a recent statement.
“We will write to Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson to encourage urgent action to fix this problem.” The national register was created as a central database to track radiation dose histories of miners….. Under this new development, information on radiation doses will be sent to a central register, where miners can then access their personal records.
“Excluding work in the Northern Territory is a huge crack in the system, and it was revealed five months ago and NT uranium mine workers are still off the radiation dose radar. The system will only have integrity if all radiation doses are included,” Ludlam says….. http://www.safetowork.com.au/news/nt-uranium-workers-still-not-on-national-register
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