The need to refute nuclear marketing man Martin Ferguson
the issues raised by The Australian need to be addressed well before the National Conference (Dec 1-2).
Behind nuclear’s new face Climate Spectator, 14 Feb 2011 Julie Macken “……With Martin Ferguson calling for a nuclear power debate at the ALP National Conference and the Weekend Australian’s front page headline reading, “Nuclear power’s friendly new face,” it’s looking like the nuclear lobby has been busy. Of course that’s what lobby groups do – lobby. Except in this case the lobbying is being done by the Minister responsible for Australia’s renewable energy portfolio and the story in The Australian was written by a reporter, not a lobbyist. Continue reading
Australian Labor Party in the grip of mining companies
The great evil of Native Title Act was that it pretended to legitimise ‘extinguishment’ of land rights for the great majority of Aboriginal people…….
The Trouble with Labor, – Westender – Brisbane’s Oldest Independent, Online Newspaper. 15 Feb 2011, Tim Anderson sees trouble ahead for Australia, while we still cling to our illusions about the Labor Party The mining companies – at the centre of the Australian oligarchy – were the main beneficiaries of the East Asian boom, yet have refused to share the benefits. Nor have we demanded it of them. This issue, of course, was behind the coup against Kevin Rudd…. Continue reading
Mining companies’ victory over Australian Government
The stunning victory by the mining houses over the federal government was a victory of renters over owners, and a triumph of misinformation and emotion over logic……..It is worth remembering, too, that some of our richest mines are directly and discretely owned by foreign companies.
An opportunity missed on mining super tax, Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Verrender, February 15, 2011 “…..the most extraordinary transfer of wealth in the nation’s history is taking place right under our noses……Tomorrow BHP Billiton will deliver one of the biggest half-year earnings results in Australian and British history. Continue reading
BHP’s record of safety failures in Australia
In June last year, BHP was fined more than $75,000 over the death of a worker at Olympic Dam, after it ignored its own safety rules….In 2008-9, five people died at BHP’s West Australian iron ore operations and another in 2009-10 at a WA nickel mine.
BHP may face safety charge Matt Chambers The Australian * February 15, 2011 BHP Billiton could be charged over a 2009 Olympic Dam mine accident Continue reading
South Australian facing opposition on Arkaroola uranium mining
The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is a recognised sanctuary under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act and is an “Environmental Class A Zone” under the Development Act.
Uranium threat to pristine sanctuary, Green Left, February 13, 2011 By Sean Brocklehurst, Adelaide
“…..It isn’t often that socialists, Greens, Liberals and NGOs agree on an issue. But that is the case regarding uranium exploration in the Arkaroola region in the Flinders Ranges, 700 kilometres north of Adelaide. Continue reading
Australia: the nuclear hypocrite
the likelihood is that Australian uranium has found its way into nuclear weapons, clandestinely or otherwise…..Heathgate is a fully owned subsidiary of the US multinational General Atomics, whose interests in developing nuclear technologies include arms manufacture:
History of hypocrisy on uranium, Sydney Morning Herald, Robin Gerster, February 14, 2011
“…..What the WikiLeak does highlight is the history of hypocrisy in Australia’s policy on the associated matter of uranium and nuclear power, especially when the governing party has been the ALP, which struggles to resolve its moral and intellectual confusion. Continue reading
Wikileaks: secret military spy satellite deals, Australia and USA
A leaked cable from February 2008 revealed a secret deal between the Australian and US governments to share secret intelligence from spy satellites,….The operations went against statements in the DWP. Then-defence department deputy secretary Mike Pezzullo told US diplomats the DWP had been carefully written to fool the ALP “Left” faction — which opposes US plans to develop a missile defence shield.
WikiLeaks exposes Aus. gov’t, Green Left, February 13, 2011By Ash Pemberton WikiLeaks has released secret US diplomatic cables that show secret Australian government negotiations Continue reading
Australia’s finance sector can address climate change
Renewable power is in our hands, Sydney Morning Herald, Paddy Manning, February 12, 2011 “…….Funds must factor in climate change Only the finance sector has enough power to take on Australia’s resources industry, but will it? Continue reading
Civil liberties trampled in Australia’s nuclear issues, and ANSTO’s secrecy
Federal resources minister Martin Ferguson plans to put the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill before Parliament this week….Mr Ferguson persists with the fiction that Traditional Owners support the dump…… He has also said that he will consult Traditional Owners after a decision has been made on the proposed Muckaty dump − a thorough reworking of the traditional concept of consultation.
Blowing the whistle on Australia’s nuclear industry, Jim Green, 12 Feb 2011, It’s a sad truth that whistleblowers have provided the public with more information about accidents at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor site on Sydney’s outskirts than the site’s operator − the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).− ever has. Continue reading
Muckaty Aboriginal owners do not want nuclear waste dump
Muckaty Traditional Owner Dianne Stokes says: “All along we have said we don’t want this dump on our land but we have been ignored. Martin Ferguson has avoided us and ignored our letters but he knows very well how we feel.
MUCKATY TRADITIONAL OWNERS – PROPOSED RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP AT MUCKATY NT, by Jim Green, Feb 2011, Mr Ferguson claims that Ngapa Traditional Owners support the nomination of the Muckaty site. However he knows that many of them oppose the dump. He received a letter opposing the dump in May 2009 signed by 25 Ngapa Traditional Owners and 32 Traditional Owners from other Muckaty groups. While some members of the Muckaty Land Trust support a national waste dump in return for cash benefits and access to improved services, many do not. Continue reading
Pro nuclear Tim Flannery is wrong choice for Climate Change communicator
While Tim Flannery is a powerful communicator to spread the message on global warming and climate change, he is far from having the full picture on the nuclear issue. Unfortunately, the Gillard government has once again chosen a spokesman who will toe the BHP Billiton line on uranium and nuclear power.
Here are some of Flannery’s simplistic views on the issue: Climate change is so catastrophic and imminent that only nuclear power can save us,”….”If Australia were to switch from coal to nuclear power, we would make only a small reduction (about 1 per cent) in global carbon dioxide pollution. But it would be a noble act, for our carbon dioxide pollution is devastating the entire world.”- (The Age 5/8/ 2006)
“Over the next two decades, Australians could use nuclear power to replace all our coal-fired power plants. We would then have a power infrastructure like that of France, and in doing so we would have done something great for the world, for whatever risks go with a domestic nuclear power industry are local, while greenhouse gas pollution is global in its impact…..” (The Age 30/5/06)
Martin Ferguson forced to eat his words on uranium to India
No to Indian uranium sales, The Age, Katharine Murphy, February 11, 2011 AUSTRALIA will not sell uranium to India until it signs a nuclear non-proliferation treaty and completes a safeguards agreement, Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says. Continue reading
Australian Greens demand that govt come clean on uranium sales to India
Greens nuclear spokesman Scott Ludlum says it appears the government is playing a “double game”…..Labor senator Doug Cameron says Australia should not entertain the idea of trading uranium with India until the developing nation met international obligations….
Please explain uranium move, Greens demand, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 Feb 2011, The Australian Greens are demanding the Gillard government explain whether it privately supports uranium sales to India. Leaked WikiLeaks cables reveal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told US officials in 2009 a deal to supply India with nuclear fuel could be reached Continue reading
Lucas Heights nuclear reactor not necessary for nuclear medicine
Australia Nuclear medicine disgrace: Comcare findings demand immediate action to clean up Lucas Heights facility – Greens February 9, 2011 — tony serve “……Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the safety issues identified by the Comcare report made it clear that “the Australian Government must look to alternate methods of isotope production”.
“We don’t need a nuclear reactor to produce medical isotopes, but phasing out the reactor will require investment in alternative technologies,” he said….Australia Nuclear medicine disgrace – Media Release: Comcare findings demand immediate action to clean up Lucas Heights facility – Greens « social justice and sustainable living – new media: tony serve blogs
Comcare recommends radical changes to ANSTO’s nuclear operations
“……….said Senator Ludlam: “Comcare essentially vindicated Mr Reid’s original complaints about safety by recommending a radical overhaul of the way ANSTO runs its radiopharmaceutical operations.”
“ANSTO indicates that Comcare is now reviewing the report in question. The Government must ensure that the findings of that review are made public as soon as they are reached.” Senator Ludlam said. “This is an extremely grave matter. It indicates not only serious safety issues, but also what appears to be the use of disciplinary action to silence a whistle-blower.”
Comcare recommended that ANSTO; Continue reading
1 This month
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
