Nuclear power financially out of the question for Australia
Judging by the US experience, a nuclear power industry would require huge government subsidies to produce energy at an affordable cost for consumers. …which insurance companies would agree to insure the nuclear industry without iron-clad government guarantees to underwrite the risks? Continue reading
What’s wrong with Australian government’s plan for Muckaty nuclear waste dump?
PROPOSED RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP AT MUCKATY, NT, by Jim Green, Feb 2011, “…..The Labor Government plans to establish a national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120 kms north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. There are many concerns with the proposal, including:
* The opposition of many Traditional Owners to the proposal, and the unwillingness of the Government to listen to their concerns and to include them in decision-making processes.
* Draconian legislation which overrides Aboriginal heritage and environmental protection laws and overrides all state/territory laws.
* The failure of the Government to establish the need for a national repository.
* The failure of the Government to carry out a site-selection process based on scientific and environmental criteria.
* Multiple breaches of binding ALP platform policy commitments….
Australian Greens giving new hope for solar energy
The Greens say they have ensured $100 million will flow into Solar Flagships within the forwards estimates period (before 2015) with the remainder of the funding to follow. A round table discussion between the government and Greens will convene to discuss how best to utilise solar energy funding into the future, including the role of feed-in tariffs as a necessary mechanism in the uptake of solar energy in Australia….
Australia’s Solar Flagships May Not Be Sunk, Renewable Energy News, by Energy Matters, 18 Feb 2011, The federal government’s Solar Flagships program, which was to have faced the axe to help pay for damage caused by the Queensland floods, is now back on the national agenda after the Australian Greens agreed to support the Prime Minister’s flood levy. Continue reading
Investment – superannuation funds should be going for renewable energy
Wrestling with a climate conundrum, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Feb 2011, IT’S maddening. We have brilliant renewable energy resources, brilliant innovators and a vast pool of superannuation savings looking for opportunities beyond our overvalued, over-analysed, ticket-clipped top 50 listed companies.
We also have growing recognition that climate change poses a unique risk to traditional investment management strategies – particularly here in Australia, Continue reading
Danger for our region in uranium sales to India
there are fundamentally sound reasons why the Labor Party has resisted sales to India up to this point. The foremost reason is that India is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Uranium sales to India a recipe for regional insecurity Sydney Morning Herald, Leigh Hubbard February 18, 2011 The wheels are firmly in motion for the Labor Party to reconsider its position on the contentious issue of uranium sales to India if this week’s comments from Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Paul Howes from the Australian Worker’s Union are any indication. Continue reading
Arkaroola to be a National Park, perhaps not with uranium mining?
Clearly, there is overwhelming public opposition to mining in Arkaroola.
Editorial: Sentiment holds sway for Arkaroola | Adelaide Now, 18 Feb 2011, THE expected decision to declare the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary a national park is a welcome move. Continue reading
Uranium to India no advantage to Australian economy
Uranium sales constitute only a tiny fraction of total minerals export income. Lastly, the long resources boom, which has resulted in a national skills shortage and two-speed economy, pours cold water on any argument that we need uranium sales to sustain the sector, employment or the economy.
Uranium sales to India a recipe for regional insecurity Sydney Morning Herald, Leigh Hubbard February 18, 2011 “……..The drive by Martin Ferguson and Paul Howes to expand Australian uranium sales is based purely on the short-sighted goal of export dollars, cloaked in the guise of supporting regional energy development. But even in this regard, we know that the profits to Australia would not be significant. Continue reading
Big Australian union comes out strongly against uranium mining
The ETU, which largely represents electrical, communications and power industry workers, says sections of the Labor movement are dead against uranium mining.
“The ETU has no doubt that, once reacquainted with the facts, the community will also continue to reject the idea of more uranium mining,”
Unions clash over Qld uranium ban, Sydney Morning Herald, Petrina Berry, February 17, 2011 Attempts by Australia’s biggest blue-collar union to overturn Queensland’s ban on uranium mining will face strong opposition from another major union. Continue reading
Across Australia for $10 in a wind-powered car
was powered primarily by a lithium ion battery that was recharged at night by a mobile wind turbine,
Wind-powered car succeeds in hard Australian voyage By Pauline Askin,SYDNEY Feb 16 (Reuters ) – A car powered primarily by wind and kites has made it across a vast swathe of Australia, enduring searing heat and freezing cold along the way — and all for roughly $10 Australian. Continue reading
Egypt in turmoil: Wikileaks reveal nuclear plant contract details
Contract Signed for Egypt’s First Nuclear Plant – Telegraph, 16 Feb 2011, “.[Wikileaks] ………On June 18, 2009, [Australian company] WorleyParsons Ltd. signed a contract with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy for the development of Egypt’s first Nuclear power plant. Ambassador Scobey, Australian Ambassador Stephanie Shwabsky, and Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif were present at the signing along with Worley’s President, Ron McNeilly and Dr. Rames Khalil, Worley’s Regional Power Manager for Egypt and Africa…….Contract Signed for Egypt’s First Nuclear Plant – Telegraph
Precious groundwater at risk from uranium mining
The conservation council’s Mia Pepper says mining for uranium in Wiluna’s dry climate could be disastrous for local water supplies.
With uranium mining, water uptake is always a really big issue, in a dry and arid area recharge of groundwater is also a problem but the biggest issue is radioactive tailings from uranium mining which will inevitably contaminate groundwater with other uranium mines around Australia,” she said.
Miner urged to rethink uranium plans – ABC North West WA – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 16 Feb 2011, The Conservation Council of WA says a mining company which has begun testing for uranium, near Wiluna in the mid-west Western Australia, should consider the environmental impacts of its proposed exploration. Continue reading
Paul Howes’ union lobbying for uranium industry
Union calls for Qld to lift uranium ban, Sydney Morning Herald, February 16, 2011 “…..The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) on Wednesday passed a national conference resolution calling on the Queensland government to overturn its uranium mining ban…..The AWU wants Victoria and NSW to remove bans on uranium exploration. Mining is also banned in those states. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson lobbying for uranium industry
BHP Billiton to decide on Olympic Dam expansion in 2012
BHP’s $US80 billion expansion plan over the next five years includes expanding its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in Australia, with a decision expected in 2012,…..
Kloppers of BHP behind the scenes – Wiklileaks
Kloppers had asked US diplomats for insights on China’s intentions and said he would be willing to trade secrets in order to obtain that information
Drilling Kloppers Business Spectator, Supratim Adhikari, 15 Feb 2011, “….WikiLeaks. According to leaked US diplomatic cable, Kloppers took personal credit for derailing the $23.9 billion tie-up between Rio Tinto and Chinalco, describing the move as a strategic victory for BHP. Continue reading
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PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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