Nuclear news – Australia and more
A bit of good news – this week Vienna, Austria, is hosting the First Meeting of States Parties, UN member states that have agreed to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Over 100 governments will participate. The great majority of the world’s representatives — 122 countries — voted their approval of the TPNW in 2017, and 62 have since ratified it. The treaty has entered into force, and only the tiny minority of nuclear-armed governments and their military allies continue to reject it. In the midst of all the doom and gloom news, we need to remember that thousands of people in many nations are working for a better world.
Otherwise – the week has been a perfect storm of awful news. The coronavirus pandemic has not gone away – far from it! Global heating is striking – the poles are melting at a fast rate, floods in India and Bangladesh, extreme heat in Europe, wildfires in Germany, Greece, Spain and New Jersey. USA. USA and UK determined to punish Julian Assange forever – let that be a warning to any journalist who exposes USA military atrocities !
AUSTRALIA.
Can Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese save Julian Assange? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ_9WoWVm-g&t=12s If Albanese asks for Assange’s freedom, Biden has every reason to agree: Bob Carr. Julian Assange and family suffer as unjust detention continues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs0cKFeRko0&t=12s Federal government lobbying behind the scenes for Assange’s freedom.
Australia yet to sign up to treaty banning nuclear weapons but will attend UN meeting as observer. ICAN Australia welcomes government decision to attend the first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as an observer.
Why nuclear energy won’t work in Australia. D’oh! David Littleproud’s nuclear comments insult our intelligence.
No decision yet on choosing USA or UK nuclear submarines, but a USA Bill to train Australian submariners! – writer. Australia’s Opposition Leader Dutton Says US Can Provide Two Nuclear Subs by 2030.
Albanese locks in Australia’s higher 2030 emissions reduction target . “Australia is under new management”: Bowen tells clean energy investors.
BP takes 40% stake in vast $30bn Australian renewables project. “The problem is not renewables:” Bowen puts Uhlmann back in his coal box. More than 1GW of battery storage to replace coal in world’s biggest isolated grid.
INTERNATIONAL
Assange Is Doing His Most Important Work Yet. The UK’s Decision to Extradite Assange Shows Why The US/UK’s Freedom Lectures Are a Farce.
The deteriorating nuclear order. The Nuclear Weapons Treaty Ban in the Footsteps of 1982’s Million-Person March.
Nuclear-armed nations spent $82.4bn on weapons in 2021. From all continents: mercenaries from 55 nations serving in Ukrainian army.
Pope Francis again says that the West provoked or failed to prevent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Rosatom Exemption: How Russia’s State-Run Nuclear Giant Has Escaped Sanctions.
Bank group accused of exploiting loopholes and ‘greenwashing’ in climate pledge.
UKRAINE. The US-led bloc is unwilling to fight Russia directly and treats Ukraine as a proxy, Dutch PM admits. Ukraine vows to reclaim Crimea with US weapons. Ukraine killing civilians in ‘unprecedented’ shelling on Donetsk ignored by Western media and politicians. Profit in a time of war? The madness of more reactors (from Westinghouse) in Ukraine.
ANTARCTICA. Antarctic “doomsday glacier” melting at faster rate than in past 5,500 years.
Can Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese save Julian Assange?
New Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said he couldn’t see any purpose in keeping Assange in gaol, stating “enough is enough”. In the first week of the Albanese Government, the ABC reported: ‘Mr Albanese is also a signatory to the Bring Julian Assange Home Campaign petition.’
Questioned by The Guardian – Albanese replied that it was his position that “not all foreign affairs is best done with the loudhailer”.
So – we are now getting used to an Australian Prime Minister who values thinking and diplomacy rather than bull-dozing and bullying tactics . So there’s hope.
On the other hand, there’s the determination of the U.S.military-industrial-complex, which rules U.S. politics – to punish Julian Assange for exposing U.S. military’s war crimes. And the subservience of the U.K. to USA, now vested in just oned person Home Secretary Priti Patel, who shows no sign of having the integrity to stand up for justice.
It is ironic that everyone is now (rightly) jumping up and down about Russian military atrocities, and praising reporters who reveal these – but it seems it’s OK to persecute Assange forf revealing U.S. military atrocities?
This week Australian and overseas nuclear news
Some bits of good news Two key committees of the European Parliament strike down EU plans to label nuclear and gas as green investment . – G7 countries to stop funding fossil fuel development overseas. Canada Introduced Sweeping Gun Law Reforms.
AUSTRALIA.
Julian Assange is still in jail, but the new Australian government has the power to act to help him. Assange: Albanese must act where the Coalition failed. Julian Assange’s wife Stella Moris reveals how they raise children together while he is in jail waiting an extradition decision. Another episode in the unlawful spying and harassment of Julian Assange and his legal team, by the UK and USA governments.
Nuclear Waste Dispute in Court Wednesday 15 June.
Australia’s Energy Minister rejects nuclear power push. Nuclear energy does not stack up economically– Labor Senator Tony Sheldon . The National Party is getting whackier and whackier in pushing for nuclear power. Opposition leader Peter Dutton hints at controversial shift towards nuclear power. The Liberal National Coalition’s flirtation with nuclear energy will not be well received by the electorate, especially in Gilmore on the NSW South Coast. Chasing unicorns’: NSW Liberal minister rejects federal opposition push for nuclear power. Disgraced Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith – quitting politics – backs Dutton’s call for nuclear power. Kerry Schott: why new coal or nuclear plants are a dumb idea.
Defence faces budget blowout with Aukus nuclear submarines to cost more than scrapped French project. Peter Dutton’s claim he planned to buy US nuclear subs is ‘political point-scoring’, defence experts say. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull labels Peter Dutton a ‘belligerent blusterer‘ over nuclear submarines claim.
A huge Atlantic current is slowing down. If it collapses, La Niña could become the norm for Australia.
Australian warming outpacing global average by 35pc: IEA . Australia to update UN climate submission.
Sky News Australia is a global hub for climate misinformation, report saysForgotten fuel: Australia’s failure on energy efficiency is a global embarrassment
INTERNATIONAL.
The unpalatable truth in Ukraine.
Geo-political readings on the Russia / Ukraine conflict 8.6.22 —. Global nuclear arsenal could grow for the first time in decades, think-tank SIPRI warns.
Non-carbon emissions could ‘bump’ global temperatures above 1.5C within seven years, research warns.
Human-made heatwaves are getting hotter
Climate action is going in the right direction, but what now? What is a realistic aim? ‘‘Climatenomics” – new book -climate crisis is the REAL economic worry. Carbon dioxide levels are now 50% higher than during the pre-industrial era. World can make massive energy savings, reduce emissions through energy conservation measures. International Energy Agency stresses that energy efficiency must be at the forefront of energy and climate policies.
Mother Nature: Economic growth is sending her bankrupt.
UKRAINE. Ukraine’s high casualty rate could bring war to tipping point, Ukraine bars IAEA nuclear regulator from visiting Russian-occupied power plant ! Ukraine slams planned IAEA mission to Russian-occupied nuclear plant.
Nuclear news – Australia and beyond
Some bits of good news – European Cities Are Turning Rooftops Into Community and Sustainability Hubs: ‘A revolution in urban planning’ Dr. Jane Goodall on climate change, planting trees, and nurturing hope. Golden bandicoots haven’t inhabited outback NSW for more than a century, until now.
AUSTRALIA
The National Radioactive Waste Management Act is racist and the Act must be amended or repealed and replaced. Indigenous owners call on the Labor government to scrap the nuclear waste dump plan. South Australia nuclear waste storage facility legal battle continues.
Despite the evidence that nuclear power is failing, and small nuclear reactors don’t exist, Australia’s right-wing politicians cling to their dream. New opposition leader Peter Dutton says that nuclear energy is not Liberal Party policy. New National Party leader pushes for small nuclear reactors. Barnaby Joyce removed as leader of the National Party, goes out spruiking for the nuclear industry.
Australia’s nuclear submarines and nuclear proliferation obligations – how many angels can dance on a periscope? Book. Fact or Fission? The truth about Australia’s nuclear ambitions.
No demotion for Plibersek: Deputy PM – Tanya Plibersek – at last – an Environment Minister who does care about the environment. After the Coalition’s failure, there is no higher duty than being Australia’s environment minister . Environment report ‘hidden’ by Coalition should be released immediately: Greens
‘Canaries in the coal mine’: Frogs face an uncertain future, and that’s bad news for us as well
INTERNATIONAL.
The need for a negotiated settlement to end the Ukraine war – Western allies discuss this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85JcUZe7kk0
Weapons designed to mass murder civilians, terrorize the world, and enable impunity for war crimes can no longer be relied on to “prevent war.”
Washington: NATO chief meets with Biden, Blinken, Austin, Sullivan to prolong Ukraine war .
Erdogan: Turkey will be in the forefront of the space war.
Turkish drones in Ukraine as model: Japan, U.S. to produce drones for use against China, Russia .
Small nuclear reactors may produce more, and more toxic, wastes than large ones do – new research. Nuclear waste from small modular reactors.
Current policies will bring ‘catastrophic’ climate breakdown, warn former UN leaders. 30 years on from Rio Earth Summit not that much has been achieved.
Time to Start Reducing Consumption! — harben post — Barbara Crane Navarro
There’s a scream building up in young people.
UKRAINE. U.S. Army: Ukraine is laboratory for new warfighting doctrine.
EUROPE. Members of European Parliament and experts condemn plan to label nuclear as ”green”.
Nuclear news as May ends – the problems keep getting worse
Some bits of good news – INDIGENOUS INSIGHTS ON HEALING LAND AND SKY. Cuban Farmers Fight Land Degradation with Sustainable Management.
It’s a worrying thought that everyone might just get ”Ukraine fatigue” and let this cruel war grind on. In the meantime, the global nuclear industry is suffering all sorts of upsets, while Elon Musk and the rest of the space war enthusiasts are carrying on, as if there were no problems at all. Hard to single out the most significant nuclear failure, but I think that it would have to be France, where the financial and safety problems just keep getting worse.
AUSTRALIA.
Julian Assange’s family says Australia’s election result brings renewed hope for WikiLeaks founder’s release. Labor urged to act to prevent Julian Assange extradition.
Nuclear. Sydney University radiation case shows the need for stronger environmental laws, with wider scope. Stop Deep Yellow: No uranium mining on Upurli Upurli Nguratja country. Australia’s new Prime Minister backs the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty. Australia’s weapons-buying binge from USA continues .
Climate. Albanese commits Australia to stronger 2030 target, starts climate reset . The political and media establishment ignored climate – but voters didn’t. The 2022 climate election: unpacking how climate concerned Australians voted Months of more rain likely as BOM report links global warming to flood disasters.
‘I’m so angry, I’m wild’: the never-ending wait to clean up asbestos town Wittenoom
INTERNATIONAL.
What to do about humanity entering “a spiral of self-destruction” – a UN Summit now on in Indonesia. The U.N. “Sustainable Development Goals”- just ”greenwashing” – claim experts. Why nuclear power can’t solve climate crisis – in fact makes it worse- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7rG7-P7E5M&t=306s
When Henry Kissinger gives advice on ending the Ukraine conflict, the West should listen. Ukraine, Taiwan: Biden trip designed to recruit S. Korea, Japan into global anti-Russia/China bloc. They’re Just Outright Telling Us That Peace In Ukraine Is Not An Option.
Book Review: ”Atoms and Ashes’‘ – A Timely History of Nuclear Catastrophes.
Asianization of NATO: China, Russia react to Biden visit War for Taiwan, nuclear war for Japan: Biden pushes two-front campaign against China, Russia. Like the rest of Europe’s few remaining non-members, Ireland being prepped for NATO . Expanding NATO – it’s a $quillion bonanza for the U.S. weapons industries!! Why environmentalists are pushing back against nuclear energy .
Nuclear is already well past its sell-by date. After the meltdown.
Billionaires from USA and Denmark have inordinate influence on public opinion about molten salt nuclear reactors’. Caitlin Johnson, rogue journalist, on corporate control of the media.
“Don’t work for climate wreckers:” UN chief warns young people off fossil fuels.
Curbing other climate pollutants, not just CO2, gives Earth a chance.
Experts call on governments to start including animal welfare in sustainable development governance.
UKRAINE. For the first time in history, nuclear sites have been caught up in the middle of warfare. Ukrainian negotiator rules out deal with Russia.
Anthony Albanese has the power to save Julian Assange. But will he?
We’re all enormously relieved that the corrupt #ScottyFRomMarketing has gone.
And we like Albanese, I think.
But – will he have the guts to help our Australian hero, Julian Assange?
Albanese had the perfect opportunity in Tokyo on Tuesday, meeting the U.S. president. He could have raised the matter with Biden.. But he didn’t.
When will he? Will he speak up for Assange at all?
Now is the time for Australia to intervene, and to demand the repatriation of Julian and an end to his persecution. It’s about time our mealy-mouthed and pathetic media and politicians broke their silence and cringing subservience to the USA.
Nuclear news this week – Australia and beyond
A bit of good news. Australia – the leper of world climate politics, – is a leper no more. Beyond all expectations, we turfed out the corrupt and anti-environment Morrison Liberal Coalition government. The driving forces in this election were the Greens, and the very climate conscious ”teal” independents. It seems that intelligent Liberals who care about the environment defected to the ”teals”, while intelligent Labor people who care strongly about the environment defected to the Greens. Either way – Australia at long last will have a government that might work for the cause of a clean planet, and for addressing global heating, and climate justice.
Pandemic– WHO chief: The COVID pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’
Climate – New IPCC Report: Addressing Climate Change Is Now About Damage Control
AUSTRALIA
Will Anthony Albanese and Labor have the guts to free Julian Assange? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8zYQp3rrG8&t=13s
Nuclear More scathing comments from readers, about Scott Morrison’s foolish nuclear submarine deal. Clive Palmer and his United Australia Party guarantee a nuclear reactor for South Australia if they hold the balance of power..
Climate. Albanese, Wong to take South-East Asia and climate policies to Quad meeting. Labor’s election win – Green investors tip renewable revival Climate voters herald an irrevocable change to politics
Australians have voted for bolder climate action and integrity in politics. The teals and Greens will turn up the heat on Labor’s climate policy. Here’s what to expect. Australia’s rightwing government weaponised climate change – now it has faced its reckoning. Painful defeat of Australia’s right-wing Morrison government, as new Labor government vows action on climate change. National Party to dictate Liberal Coalition policy on climate – Nats set to dictate Coalition policies
Albanese pledges to get Australia out of climate ‘naughty corner’. A new climate politics: The 47th parliament must be a contest of ideas for a hotter, low-carbon Australia, In a year of endless floods, why isn’t disaster governance front and centre in the election campaign?
Bushfires, reef bleaching, animal extinctions — Australia’s environment is under threat. But are our politicians paying attention?It’s election time! For one party the environment is not a priority. For the other, it’s not something to talk about. — Sustainability Bites
INTERNATIONAL
Extraditing Julian Assange would be a gift to secretive, oppressive regimes.
War in Ukraine is getting complicated, and America isn’t ready
Ukraine War Has No End in Sight. Ukraine Contact Group: war used to expand global NATO.
NATO doubles members since 1999, completes sweep of Nordic nations . IT IS FOOLISH FOR FINLAND AND SWEDEN TO JOIN NATO. Up to 100 U.S. nuclear weapons surround Russia’s border. Disinformation’ Label Serves to Marginalize Crucial Ukraine Facts.
Switzerland: NATO swallowing Europe’s few remaining former neutrals .
Nuclear Bomb Blast Map Shows What Would Happen if One Detonated Near You.
New book – does nuclear power have a future?. Tritium isn’t harmless.
The Arctic Council (AC) and NATO aims conflict with no climate change mitigation.
COP26: No countries have delivered on promise to improve climate plans. 1.2 billion people threatened by escalating heat due to climate change. Climate change: The global climate crisis is also a health crisis
UKRAINE. Chernobyl nuclear fears as forest near Exclusion Zone in FLAMES – emergency triggered Ukraine controlled by US and UK – Russia. Injured troops to be evacuated from Azovstal – Moscow. Nuclear lobby happily predicts a bright and beautiful future for new nuclear reactors in Ukraine.
Continue readingWill Anthony Albanese and Labor have the guts to free Julian Assange?
I am astonished that in all the brouhaha of Labor kicking out the truly awful Morrison Liberal Coalition government, so far no media noise about the scandalous persecution of Australian citizen Julian Assange.
OK, kindly, I suggest that there’s a lot to digest, a lot to overturn and untangle, in the state of corruption left by the Morrison government.
But now, if ever, is the time for Australia to stop cringing, and stand up to our supposed friend, the USA.
War atrocities happen. Right now there’s a legal case on, all about atrocities committed by Australian soldiers. We have to face up to that. America should have the decency to face up to atrocities committed by its military, instead of viciously persecuting the journalist who revealed them.
Australia could stop its pathetic subservience to the uSA and UK, and stand up for an Australian journalist.
We kowtowed 75 years ago, when Australian journalist Wilfred Burchett revealed the humanitarian horrors of Fukushima. Now, with a decently oriented Labor government, Australia could do the right thing and demand Assange’s freedom. The USA and UK might even respect us for that.
Australia gets rid of the crooked, incompetent bible-bashing #ScottyFromMarketing government
It’s not just the angels who are rejoicing. All Australians who care about the environment, the climate, the children’s future, are now breathing that much-needed sigh of relief. Not to mention our shame at the way the government has treated refugees, and the appalling neglect of Julian Assange.
I hope that Albanese and co. realise that they got into government not because people wanted a Labor government, but because people couldn’t stand smirking dissembling, corrupt Morrison any longer.
The job now, for The Greens, the Independent Teals, and others who care – is to teach Labor to care about the environment, and our children’s future, and to do something about that.
TODAY. This morning at the polling booth – Australian election
No – these ”Teal” supporters of Zoe Daniels on the left were not all present at the Goldstien polling booth this morning. But some of them were, and the mood was one of intelligent optimism. I was handing out ”how-to-vote-Green”. But there was a happy camaradie between the many Greens and Teals.
The atmosphere on the Labor side was more muted, and the few Liberals seemed on the defensive. The United Australia Party had just one lacklustre poster, and no-one there to hand out.
A general feeling among the many Teal and Green supporters that tonight, there’s a chance that Australia might get rid of its current anti-environment and corrupt government.
TODAY. The Australian election – yawn! Where the most important issues are not mentioned by the major parties
Yay -it’s all about interest rate rises, the deficit, house prices, wages – yes these ARE important matters. (Maybe not the deficit so much – because good, positive policies would bring about community confidence and effort, resulting in a productive economy – leading to reducing the deficit.}
But what are Liberal and Labor NOT TALKING about? THE PANDEMIC, CLIMATE CHANGE (Labor – a bit) THE MILITARISATION of this country in the service of American weapons companies.
Intelligent Australians are hoping that The Greens and the Independents will make their mark, in this election on 21 May. And fearing that the ultra-right groups might also do so.
This week, nuclear news and more
Some bits of good news – Removal of over 200 dams in Europe has restored free flowing streams and migratory fish. Norway turns its back on gas and oil to become a renewable superpower.
Curiouser and curiouser. In Australia, and presumably in other ”developed” countries, the focus on squabbling political personalities, and on sporting celebrities, pretty much dominates the news, except for the continued coverage of Ukraine, seen through an American filter. Meanwhile, strangely lost in the background is the pandemic story, with new case numbers rocketing world-wide. Then there’s global heating – noted effects in California and Northern Australia – but what about India, Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh?
It is strange, and worrying, that the pandemic, climate change, and the heightened nuclear dangers have somehow slipped below the radar of public consciousness – but those threats are still there, even if it’s not nice to talk about them.
AUSTRALIA
Radioactive: Inside the top-secret AUKUS nuclear submarines deal. AUKUS nuclear submarine fallout: double-dealing and deception came at a diplomatic cost.
Australian readers condemn the Morrison government’s AUKUS deal Biden demanded bipartisan support before signing AUKUS. Labor was not told for months. Extraordinary’: Albanese slams Morrison for not briefing him on subs deal,
Remote NT community not told about $5m contract to fix uranium in water supply
Young voters will inherit a hotter, more dangerous world – but their climate interests are being ignored this election. Political leaders ignoring the biggest threat to our national security
No, Mr Morrison. Minority government need not create ‘chaos’ – it might finally drag Australia to a responsible climate policyMeet Zoe Daniel: Journalist turned independent fighting for climate, integrity and gender equality. Greens voter exhausted from constantly being right – satire The Shovel
Democracy in danger –State capture’ by private interests
The end of Adani? Investment giant says coal miner has revealed Carmichael closure plan.
The day one person was left to monitor nine river systems as floods swept the state
INTERNATIONAL.
The Danger of Ignoring Julian Assange https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6bVl47kdNk
Ending the War of Attrition in Ukraine. Forgetting the apocalypse: why our nuclear fears faded – and why that’s dangerous.
Strategic partnership: U.S. pushes ASEAN to join crusade against Russia, China, Myanmar.
The Insanity Of Expanding Nuclear Energy. Poisoned legacy: why the future of power can’t be nuclear.
John Kerry warns a long Ukraine war would threaten climate efforts
Underwater drones could be the end of nuclear submarines. Underwater drones herald sea change in Pacific warfare.
UKRAINE. The horrible dangers of pushing a US proxy war in Ukraine – Atomic energy chief: Ukraine’s nuclear safety situation ‘far from being resolved‘. UN: There is ‘credible’ information Ukrainian forces are torturing Russian POWs .We Think).
Today. A lot of scathing comments on the story of how the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal came about
I wonder for just how long will these horribly expensive nuclear submarines actually be useful to Australia, if indeed, they ever are.? Australia needs submarines of a shorter range to monitor its own coastlines, – not long range ones that could be equipped with weapons, (later on nuclear weapons) for attacking China.
Meanwhile China is developing hundreds of swarms of much cheaper drones. that can detect nuclear submarines, and even attack them.
Maybe the USA and UK are very happy to get Australia to pay the costs of soon-to-be-obsolete underwater monster,. And the costs of disposing of them – a problem not yet solved by any country.
In today’s Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Harcher gives a detailed story on the secret negotiations that brought Australia to the AUKUS deal, and the plan to spend many $170Billion on nuclear submarines. Many questions on this – not least – where will the money come from?
Scott Morrison has the nerve to accuse Labor of financial extravagance, as Labor leader AnthonyAlbanese promises to spend a tiny fraction of that on fixibg our desperate health care system – as Australianhospitals struggle undervthe continuing onslaught of the pandemic.
Anyway – I’m not the only one to notice this. Many comments below that article. Here are just a few:
Misnomer ”they could allow Australia to pose a direct threat to the Chinese mainland”
Exactly. Our war mongers in Canberra aren’t interested in defence, they want war with China. They have written a $100+ billion blank cheque for the “crown jewels” (seriously?), leaving us without subs and defence for decades so hairy-chested Morrison and Dutton can bang the defence drums for an election.
The subs are a political play from a reckless, spendthrift government beholden to the US, which is happy to take a huge chunk of our debt-fuelled cash and let us fight their war against China.
Ditch the subs. They are a folly from an out-of-control government and should be the first thing Labor axes in the name of debt repair.
Inner West Andrew…. The French option should not have been discarded so readily on what appears to be a political process instigated by scotty from marketing in secret and using notes on the back of a beer coaster. The lack of proper policy development on the AUKUS deal is truly astonishing. Neither Britain or America are likely to have the spare capacity to help us obtain a fleet of even just 3 nuclear submarines for decades. meanwhile we have a massive capability gaps, just as Dutton appears determined to start a war.
Budawang The momentous decision to bankroll the US projection of power against China in the Western Pacific for decades to come was made without any public debate and without even consulting with Labor. This is not the sign of a well-functioning democracy.
lets be frank. Since ScoMo didn’t talk to Albo . Albo as PM should bite the bullet and CANCEL THE NUCLEAR DEAL . Its too far above our budget and capability. It will bankrupt us . Scomo has shown himself to be the most incompetent reactive idiot in a conga line of LNP incompetent reactive idiots. This is what happens when you have amateurs in the Lodge
Ultracrepidarianist. Great article Peter. When the high financial cost was discussed the treasurer reaction was “Everything is affordable if it’s a priority. This is a priority.”
I now understand why major issues such as aged care are given superficial attention.
The Coalition does not perceive sorting out aged care issues as a priority.’
Shame on them. I no longer fall into the undecided voter category.
Alfie. There are a lot of quotes from private and sensitive conversations in this piece.
It wreaks of placement by invested parties to justify the most expensive and controversial defence project in Australia’s history.
Any further explanation on how all this information was obtained Mr Hartcher?
Oh well. So, “ScoMo” began the move to nuclear subs at least 2 years before the deal was announced, and the French informed. All so he could make the laughable boast that Australia could, once we got them, “threaten” China. This is what happens when you ask military people whether you should buy them more military toys.
SteveM. Just imagine Dutton as PM with nuclear powered attack subs to play with.
JF. Yet more proof that Scotty from Marketing is both overly partisan and hopelessly incompetent. Australia deserves much better than this appalling LNP clown show pseudo government. Time for them to go.
Phil 1943 Why wouldn’t the US and UK rush to accept the offer of a base – or bases, for their naval assets in Australia without the inconvenience of having to pay for them? If all goes as vaguely announced by the LNP, Australia will fork out big bucks for a smallish fleet of nuclear subs that will be serviced here in ‘joint’ facilities that will be shared with those two nuclear-experienced nations while we learn how to operate our submersible purchases.
During the twenty or so years while we wait for this questionable deal to coalesce, our allies will have new Australian bases to show on the maps of their global military facilities. And it’s going to cost us billions of dollars in the interim. We can only hope Albo says ‘no’.
mmanuel Can. The fact it makes us more of a target doesnt seem to have been given too much weight.
Allan Woodley. I guess that’s what he was doing in Hawaii during the bushfires.
Southerner. So this puts into perspective China’s reaction to Australia, the trade bans and the Solomons and China’s spy ships cruising in international waters off Australia’s coast. Why does Australia need an attack capacity? Why would a nation of 25 million seek to be a protagonist? Why didn’t Morrison and Co spend the time building constructive, healthy relationships with the Pacific, our SE Asian neighbours and all our trading partners including China? Once again Morrison was playing domestic politics, keeping Albanese out of the picture, pursuing a fait accompli to reap what he saw as glory. Has Morrison made Australians safer? That is uncertain. Hopefully, this very dangerous man and his very bad government will be gone in 7 days time
More comments tomorrw.
Today. Aw gee! What if USA and UK are selling us a pup with the nuclear submarines – obsolete all too soon?
It’s not just that the AUKUS deal is phenomenally expensive for Australia – $171 billion. It’s not just that they won’t be ready for 20 years at best – when they would then be superseded by more advanced submarines.
It;s that submarines themselves are losing their gloss, anyway. Everybody who’s anybody in the nuclear-weaponry-tax-payer-ripoff world is realising that underwater drones are a heap cheaper, a real threat to nuclear submarines, and much better suited to the relatively shallow waters of theb South China Sea.
But I guess that the USA and UK have to try to make a few bucks by selling their existing soon-out-of-date Vanguard and Astute nuclear submarines.
The week in nuclear news
Some bits of good news. New plan to accelerate clean energy access for millions globallyBrush-tailed bettongs doing well after reintroduction to SA mainland.
A busy week – here are the headlines
BUT- let’s not forget the appalling toll that climate change heat is bringing to Pakistan and India
AUSTRALIA
The Greens oppose nuclear waste dump on Kimba, South Australia.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dWSvDQuKR0
Dissecting Vice Admiral Jonathon Mead’s Nuclear submarine zealotry.
This black smoke rolling through the mulga’: almost 70 years on, it’s time to remember the atomic tests at Emu Field . Sydney University fined for carelessness with a radioactive device.
An Australian fusion company awarded money under a Defence program (Why?).
The ‘climate election’ we need to have. Major parties have Australia on track to blow past Paris targets.
Australia’s biggest climate polluter AGL,and Accel set to breach Paris-aligned climate targets. “Coal fired power stations will close, regardless of who’s in office:” Bowen How much are you willing to pay to help reduce carbon emissions? Vote Compass has the answer. Great Barrier Reef not coping with ‘escalating’ climate change after first La Niña bleaching event, unpublished report warns
A Secret Australia Revealed by the WikiLeaks Exposés.
Far from having a leftwing bias, the ABC has been tamed by cuts and incessant attacks.
Junior energy minister Tim Wilson may lose his Liberal blue ribbon seat — RenewEconomy
Canberra’s urban trees receive global recognition
INTERNATIONAL
Reducing Tensions, Building Trust, De-escalating. Is Russia increasingly likely to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine? Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand may attend NATO summit. Expansion into Asia-Pacific: NATO military bloc is poison, not antidote. Ukraine reveals split in ASEAN . Nuclear War Threat Drives Greater Divide Between U.S., China.
Propaganda During Times of War.
Russian Uranium NOT Sanctioned – Why?
Climate change could introduce humans to thousands of new viruses
Pope Francis reiterates complete opposition to the possession and use of nuclear weapons. Pope says NATO may have led to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A new propaganda film to jolly up the pro nuclear enthusiasts. Nuclear power is a HUGE water guzzler – so why are we guzzling the lie that nuclear is good for climate?
Diseconomics and other factors mean that small nuclear reactors are duds ( part of larger article)
They suck your electricity while you sleep. What you need to know about vampire appliances
Climate sceptic thinktank received funding from fossil fuel interests
FRANCE. The poisoned environmental legacy of France’s ”Nuclear Park”.
UK. What is REALLY driving Britain’s seemingly illogical push for small nuclear reactors and nuclear megaprojects?
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1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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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
Antinuclear 