Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Australian airline pilots might boycott radiation scanning

The [backscatter radiation scanning] devices are planned to be rolled out across Australia next year…The Australian and International Pilots Association says it is also considering the issue raised by the APA

Pilots boycott full-body scanners over health fears By Kate Schneider, news.com.au , November 08, 2010 THE world’s largest pilot’s association has boycotted full-body scanners over health risks Continue reading

November 8, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, health | , , , , | Leave a comment

Australia’s new greatly expanded role in USA military presence

the Australian development is part of a new U.S. strategy to step up its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region

Australia, U.S. agree to major escalation of military co-operation Continue reading

November 6, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, weapons and war | , , , | Leave a comment

Clinton to Australia to sell spy base and military stuff

Australia’s defence planning continues to promote the interoperability of its forces with those of the US, in part through provision of secure bases such as the new tracking station but also through equipment purchases.

An alliance still in the national interests, The Age,November 6, 2010 “…The US is also concerned by China’s increasing military might, which includes a capability for satellite warfare in space. One response to that capability is a satellite tracking station being built on Australian territory. Continue reading

November 6, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, weapons and war | , , , , | Leave a comment

John Durie of THE AUSTRALIAN recommends nuclear waste storage industry for South Australia

South Australia’s Rann could do everyone a favour by realising the best way to maximise growth in the state is to look at some sort of environmentally friendly nuclear waste storage in the state. – John Durie writes in THE AUSTRALIAN 5  Nov

“This could be a new industry for the country, and as much as the environmental benefits of nuclear power are questionable, it is another source of power which should go into the mix.

It just so happens BHP is sitting on tonnes of uranium, and it just so happens its boss Marius Kloppers is a big advocate of a carbon tax to get Australia on to the greenhouse combat zone efficiently.

Next stop is to start pushing for nuclear power in Australia, powered by the Big Australian, which it seems has got too big to buy anything of any size offshore…..”

November 5, 2010 Posted by | South Australia, uranium, wastes | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Australia should stop supplying uranium to nuclear weapons States

Greens: Australia Should Oppose Nuclear Weapons at United Nations (UN), Mathaba, 3 Nov 10, Australia produces the uranium used for Israeli, British and United States nuclear weapons, so a good place to start would be a ban on providing those nuclear states with any supplies. Continue reading

November 3, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

New South Wales govt promotes coal, cuts back on renewables

“The more [greenhouse gases] you emit, the more subsidies you get.”……..

Canary in the NSW coal mine  Business Spectator Giles ParkinsonPublished , 2 Nov 2010 Even as the NSW government is cracking down on subsidies for renewable energy generation such as rooftop solar, it is ramping up the level of subsidies provided to its coal-fired power stations Continue reading

November 3, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, New South Wales, solar, wind | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No gain, only harm, in Australia selling uranium to India

uranium sales to India would do very little to expand Australia’s export revenue − which helps explain why the Australian Uranium Association supports the government’s policy of prohibiting uranium sales to countries that have not signed the NPT.

Selling uranium to India will do great damage, with little gain to Australia, The Age, Richard Broinowski, November 1, 2010 “…..India made no concessions whatsoever during the US-India deal − no commitment to curb its escalating nuclear weapons program, no commitment to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, no commitment to stop producing fissile material for weapons. Continue reading

October 31, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

WA govt’s grab of Aboriginal land is condemned

the words “always was, always will be Aboriginal land” have the rider with Australian governments, “until some rich, greedy corporation wants it”.

Forum condemns Kimberley acquisition, Green Left Weekly, October 31, 2010 By Barry Healy, Perth  Corporations trying to construct a gas processing hub at James Price Point “might have a bit of difficulty getting their power plant built” if Premier Colin Barnett completes compulsorily acquiring the Aboriginal land, Continue reading

October 31, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, uranium, Western Australia | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clinton and Gates to Australia for Space War project in W.A.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is poised to announce the base when he visits Australia next week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,….The facility will play a major role in an emerging Cold War in space.

WA joins space race, The Age, October 30, 2010 Australia will become a key partner in the international battle for space supremacy, Continue reading

October 29, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, weapons and war | , , , | Leave a comment

South Australia’s Labor govt set to fail Aboriginal Maralinga victims’ quest for justice

Maralinga victims denied legal help, MELISSA MACK,

Oct 29, 2010, ABORIGINAL victims of nuclear testing in the 1950s are likely to be denied the chance  of claiming millions of dollars in compensation, with the state Government refusing to help fund the legal case. Continue reading

October 29, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, South Australia, uranium | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time for Australia to show clear support for Nuclear Weapons Convention

Greens spokesperson for nuclear issues, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Government should take the opportunity to make a clear statement of support for a nuclear weapons convention.

WA Senator urges Government to take stand against nuclear weapons in UN  tony serve blogs, 28 Oct 10, The Australian Greens today urged the Government to support a United Nations draft resolution calling for a ban on the production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons to be voted on tomorrow in New York. Continue reading

October 29, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, weapons and war | , , , | 1 Comment

Western Australia’s Greens will maintain anti-nuclear policy

The WA Greens say the party would be concerned if the Labor Party reneged on its long held opposition to uranium mining, when it reopens the debate at next year’s state conference.

Greens concern on Labor’s uranium stance – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 29 Oct 10, Greens MP Robin Chapple  is concerned WA could have two major parties with a pro-nuclear, pro-uranium stance. Continue reading

October 29, 2010 Posted by | politics, uranium, Western Australia | , , , | Leave a comment

Australian Liberal MP wants “An Inconvenient Truth’ not shown in schools

The 2006 documentary, about former US vice-president Al Gore’s campaign to educate citizens about global warming, was a box-office success and won two Academy Awards.But Liberal MP Dennis Jensen, a well-known climate sceptic, is unhappy about its possible inclusion in the curriculum.”It’s a very popular work of fiction,”  – Dr Jensen

MPs at odds over An Inconvenient Truth in school curriculum THE AUSTRALIAN,  AAP * October 27, 2010 11:50AM  FEDERAL MPs are divided over the proposal that a controversial climate change documentary be included in the national school curriculum.The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority reportedly has said An Inconvenient Truth had a place in modern history studies and English. Continue reading

October 27, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Carbon offset scheme can be an economic winner for Australia’s Aborigines

Centrefarm has urged the Government to make new laws to enshrine Aboriginal ownership of the carbon stored on their land.

Carbon offset scheme aims to use Indigenous land – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Alex Johnson and Paul Serratore  Oct 26, 2010 A not-for-profit group in Central Australia is establishing a scheme to encourage Australians to offset their carbon emissions on Indigenous land. Continue reading

October 26, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Newcastle project for new solar energy technology

The main advantage of the technology is that, unlike current solar thermal plants, it can be used in areas with no water, which are often the sunniest places on the planet.

Magic of mirrors, Newcastle Herald, BY MATTHEW KELLY27 Oct, 2010 It is used to power jet engines, now the same principle of converting compressed air into energy will produce enough electricity for up to 200 houses.CSIRO’s energy centre at Mayfield West has become home to the southern hemisphere’s biggest Brayton cycle project, which uses only the sun and air to produce electricity. Continue reading

October 26, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, New South Wales, solar, water | , , , , , , | Leave a comment