Easter week – nuclear news Australia
Nuclear terrorism a possibility in Belgium – and elsewhere. But oh no, not in Australia! Except – has everyone forgotten Willy Brigitte? Brigitte was sent to Sydney in 2007 as part of a cell that trained terrorists in Pakistan, with a plan to bomb the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor, was convicted in France.
South Australia Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission has gone a bit quiet, since announcing its enthusiasm for nuclear waste importing. It’s supposed to publish the submissions in response to its “Tentative Findings” – not happening as yet. Ultimate findings to be released on May 6th. Meanwhile a few more people have made their responses available, including an excellent one from Valdis Dunis, particularly examining issues of finance and insurance.
Roderick Campbell, in New Matilda, demolishes the Royal Commission’s economic argument for importing nuclear waste. The Australia Institute agrees with him.
South Australia’s Labor govt wants to scrap law against expenditure towards nuclear waste dumping. NO TO NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP – say women and Labor voters. The ethics of burdening future South Australians with nuclear wastes? – Conservation Council of South Australia. Uncertainty created by Australian govt’s new Clean Energy Fund.
France, (and everybody else) touting sales of nuclear submarines to Australia.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Big financial benefits in locating solar and wind power together– study. Turnbull’s new cleantech fund likely to sink without trace. Turnbull govt “clean energy” plan designed to stall renewable energy projects? Prime Minister Turnbull suggests Port Augusta solar thermal plant for federal clean energy plan (but is he fair dinkum?)
Turnbull cuts climate research money – spends it on ‘wind farm health effects‘ Omigawd! Australia’s peak medical body is funding 3.3 $million research into ‘wind turbine sickness’.
Further revelations on the scope of cuts to CSIRO climate research.
Lithium: design and recycling– a potential new industry for Australia.
INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Movement for a treaty with Australia’s First Nations gathers momentum. Indigenous opponents of Adani’s Carmichael mine to intensify court battle.
LEGAL. Bob Brown’s High Court challenge to Tasmania’s controversial anti-protester laws.
Nuclear waste importation – an election issue?
Probably not. Both Liberal and Labor prefer to keep nuclear topics off the agenda. 
Australia’s subservient mainstream media toes the parties’ line. They can talk about gay marriage until the cows come home. Which always puzzles me. I strongly believe that gays and lesbians should be free to make the same choices that the straights have, however miserable it might turn out. When a couple makes such a choice, it does not impact upon their neighbours, or on the rest of the Australian public.
But choices made that DO impact on others – such as in threatening their health, safety and environment, these surely are the choices that should be discussed and explored fully by the media.
However, as the debacle of the pro nuclear South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission shows – the issue of making Australia the toilet for the world’s radioactive trash, can go on for a year, virtually unnoticed by the mainstream Australian media.
Sue, it’s fine and necessary to discuss gay rights. But it’s imperative to get this radioactive waste issue – of importance to us all, and to our grandchildren – out in the open. What’s the matter with Australian media and politicians – are nuclear issues just too bad taste to mention?
18 March Australian Nuclear News
As I write, the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission is officially closing its request for “Responses to its Tentative Findings”. The Commission allowed only a short time for responses, and it was not well publicised. As before, the process was not that easy, either, – so it should protect the Commission from getting too many pesky comments from Aborigines and other disadvantaged groups.
Still the indigenous people are seasoned anti-nuclear fighters, and will keep right on opposing the plan for inviting the world’s nuclear waste in to South Australia.
Some people did manage to respond (myself included, under my proper name Noel Christina Wauchope). Amongst several fine Response Submissions, I single out a really compelling argument from Paul Langley. I bet that the Commission would like to ignore that one! And also would like to forget the previous Submission from Yurij Poetzl. Response Submissions will be published later on the Royal Commission’s website.
The Commission will complete its report on 6 May 2016.
Meanwhile, in the pro nuclear South Australian Labor Party, some of the natives are restless. Surely the plan to make Australia the world’s nuclear toilet is not going to become a political issue? What bad taste, when we can all rabbit on about gay marriage as THE issue. (Don’t get me wrong. I think that gays and lesbians deserve the right to be as miserable as everyone else)
CLIMATE Turnbull govt missing the chance for Australia to lead on climate change action. Mary Robinson criticises Australia’s cuts to CSIRO climate research.
CIVIL LIBERTIES New South Wales Parliament passes anti-protest laws.
A demanding week in nuclear issues for Australia
The past week has been an exhausting week for those actively concerned about radioactive trash dumping. By and large, the mainstream media has been pretty much silent about the issue of the Commonwealth government’s hunt for a dump site for the Lucas Heights processed nuclear wastes returning from France and England – the first lot, due soon.
Meanwhile for 6 sites selected as suitable, the local communities have been very concerned, and overwhelmingly opposed to the dump. Previously “non political” country people have converged on Canberra. They, and other concerned Australians, have sent in submissions (due by 11 March) opposing the plan. Organisations such as Australian Conservation Foundation argue persuasively for Lucas Heights as the appropriate site, for the time being. (Others like myself, argue also for the shutting down of the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor – stopping making this toxic radioactive trash).
The coming week is also a stressful one. Again, the mainstream media ignores that second nuclear waste dump problem – the shonky South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission. The Royal Commission announced its Tentative Findings – in a nutshell that it would be great for South Australia to become the global nuclear waste dump.
The Commission asks for responses, to be due in by 18 March. Not so hard to do.
Guidelines for comments are up on my website, (thanks to Beyond Nuclear) at Action Australia.
The nuclear lobby continues, aided by the media, to portray this as solely a “South Australian” matter – just for this State supposedly to get filthy rich by inviting in the world’s radioactive trash. If its gonna be such a bonanza, why hasn’t any other country thought of it?
We now have a real dill, Barnaby Joyce, for a Deputy Prime Minister
When you look at what’s going on in politics in USA – it becomes clear that profound ignorance is no barrier for a man to become a presidential candidate.
But that’s America. Surely in Australia, things are a bit more intelligent! But no. We’ve suffered the international embarrassment of Tony Abbott as PM – with his simplistic three word slogans and quasi religious beliefs on climate etc.
That was bad enough. We breathe a little, now having Malcolm Turnbull, who has the facility for making progressive statements, while sticking to the antediluvian policies of the Liberal Coalition.
But what happens if Malcolm gets knocked over by a bus?
Mon dieu! We now have Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister. Internationally and nationally, if Joyce ever gets his hands on the tiller – it won’t just be funny. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Renewable energy news – for a change this week
Journalism highlights of the week :
*Australia’s revolving door – from politician to mining executive and back again: how miners control Australian government policy.
*The horrendous truth about just how big a mess nuclear corporation EDF is in.
Yes, I do get tired of all the doom and gloom – about the nuclear industry – both in its harmful effects, and in its dismal future prospects.
Meanwhile – when I start looking at renewable energy news – well, there’s miles of it! And, not to be discounted, even where I live, I see new solar panels popping up in the neighbourhood every week!
- Renewables boom after ‘two-year drought’.
- Solar thermal power push to keep jobs in Port Augusta, South Australia. Could renewable power be Port Augusta’s saviour? Port Augusta community keenly concerned about renewable energy versus nuclear industry . Adelaide City Council is seeing green.
- Western Australia‘s largest solar installation at Perth shopping complex. Renewable energy micro-grid plannned for Kalbarri, Western Australia.
- Victorian town Newstead set for 100% renewable energy within 5 years.
- Sapphire Wind Farm to bring huge benefits to Australian Capital Territory‘s economy.
- Tasmania needs to ramp up its wind and solar power. Tasmania’s great opportunities in renewable energy.
- Solar energy to the grid: New South Wales‘ Moree solar farm in operation. AGL proceeding with Silverton wind farm project in far west NSW.
- Gas company APA joins throng to spend on renewable energy projects.
- Continued pro nuclear attacks on renewable energy, despite Royal Commission’s findings.developments.
- Australia at risk of missing its 2020 renewable energy target.
POLITICS. From politician to mining executive and back again: how miners control Australian government policy. Greens senator Larissa Waters attacks ‘corrupting influence’ of mining industry – video. Australian govt now admitting no true threat from ‘vigilante’ green groups? New climate brings hope to Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP – FOR LUCAS HEIGHTS TRASH Submissions [due by 11 March]on proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility. Will the Australian govt impose a Lucas Heights nuclear waste dump on a South Australian community? Communities fight Turnbull government nuclear waste dump plan. Oman Ama community group to Canberra to reject nuclear waste dump plan. Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg would not meet Communities from outback sites designated for nuclear waste dump. Australia’s Labor and Liberal Parties unite in dismissing community concerns on nuclear waste dumping.
How good to have some positive, clean energy, news
I do get a little tired of publicising negative stuff – but that IS a necessity. There are an awful lot of 
snouts at the trough of dirty energy funding .
It’s just good to remind ourselves of all the positive stuff that really is going on – renewable energy going ahead in leaps and bounds, whether it be large scale solar and wind projects, or small scale stuff – however tiny.
Sure the Australian government, and the Labor opposition, are in the grip of the dirty nuclear and coal lobbies, – but they can’t stop the world-wide popularity, and march forward of clean energy and climate change action.
So much good news in this area, so I’m happy to indulge myself this month in putting the focus on the good stuff.
This week’s Australian nuclear news
As I write, members of nuclear-free groups from across Australia are meeting for 2 days to explore today’s nuclear issues, in particular, about the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission, what it means, and how to respond to it. I’m very disappointed not to be there, because of ill-health, but I look forward to their report, and to plans for preventing this toxic import of nuclear waste, intended by the Commission.
Economist Richard Blandy has analysed the costs and benefits of the Royal Commission’s plan, finding that the so-called “bonanza” for South Australia would begin only after 30 years time, and $27 billion in construction costs of the waste facility. It should then add a relatively modest sector to the economy for 30 years, but be followed by costs and risks that would last for many thousands of years.
Michele Madigan points out the national dangers of transporting nuclear wastes.
Problems with ARPANSA: a not so independent radiation regulator
Suggestion to place Royal Commission nuclear waste imports under South Australia’s Parliament House. If only….
Federal govt search for a place to finally dump Lucas Heights nuclear wastes:
- A Hawke-Howard team to pacify the anti nuclear natives?. Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Bill Shorten do their bit for the pro nuclear dance.
- National Radioactive Waste Management Act overrides any local opposition to nuclear waste dump.
- Aboriginal landowners shocked at plan for nuclear waste dump close to sacred site.
- Nuclear waste dump plan for Kimba – govt ignores relevant standards and codes.
- Senator Scott Ludlam’s motion Feb 22 on nuclear waste dumping and community opposition.
Australian govt lies about medicine and nuclear waste.
CLIMATE Australia breaches Paris climate agreement, damages economy, by cutting CSIRO climate modelling.
Nuclear News , Royal Commission Special This Week
On 15th February Commissioner Kevin Scarce delivered the “tentative findings” of South Australia’s NuclearFuel Cycle Royal Commission. In short, these were:
- Major recommendation for South Australia to make billions by importing, managing, storing and disposing of nuclear waste.
- Low key support for uranium mining expansion.
- Not supportive (at present) for uranium enrichment, further processing. But at the same time favours nuclear fuel leasing.
- Not supportive of nuclear power, but South Australia should prepare for it anyway, perhaps needed later on.
Mainstream Media responses to the report varied from jubilant in South Australia to pretty much ignored in Australia as whole. Alternative media was a lot more probing and critical e.g: The Conversation, REneweconomy, The Australia Institute The Saturday Paper and my own website
However, the significant thing about mainstream media coverage and the lack thereof, is that there seems to be a sort of “nuclear gentlemens’ agreement” that the whole thing only concerns the State of South Australia, not Australia as a whole.
All sorts of issues in this DO concern the rest of Australia – overturning of National Environment and Radiation Laws, sea, rail and road transport of dangerous radioactive trash and the accompanied security problems, secrecy and surveiilance.
Does Australia really want to be the only nation in the world to invite in the world’s radioactive trash? What about Australia’s reputation as safe and clean?
Will the rest of us have to prop up South Australia, bail it out, when the trash import project all comes financially unstuck, and South Australia is left with the biggst “stranded asset” of all time?
The ‘Tentative Findings’ report is posted at: http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/tentative-findings/
The deadline for written submissions responding to the interim report is March 18 (see the Royal Commission website for details).
The final report will be published in May 2016.
#NuclearCommissionSAust Ethics – an oxymoron – theme for this week
There’ s nothing ethical about pleasing a few greedy entrepreneurs that think they can make a fortune out of introducing Small Nuclear Reactors to Australia – as the follow-up to South Australia taking in global radioactive trash.
There’s nothing ethical about the lie that taking in global radioactive trash will solve South Australia’s unemployment problem .
There’s nothing ethical about planning to saddle South Australia with the biggest white elephant and stranded asset in human history. A radioactive trash dump makes no money. (That’s why no other country wants to do this)
I could imagine one scenario in which taking in radioactive trash might be ethical. Imagine if one country – for example, Japan, decided to completely shut down all nuclear activities, and had trouble organising a waste repository. A global good citizen, such as Australia, might help them out in this.
But there’s no global citizenship in the Royal Commission plan. It’s not only about greed: it’s also about keeping the toxic global nuclear industry going, at a time when it is pretty much in terminal decline.
Nuclear Royal Commission Special
On February 15 the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission announced its “tentative findings”
And guess what – Surprise Surprise!
After many months of such IMPORTANT pro nuclear persons getting paid large amounts of money to trip around the world, getting expert advice from the likes of France’s near bankrupt AREVA, and the crooked Canadian nuclear hierarchy – they came out with the conclusion that they had already decided upon at the beginning:
AUSTRALIA SHOULD BECOME THE WORLD’S RADIOACTIVE TRASH TOILET!
The subservient media and corporate controlled governments of the rest of Australia have just shut up about this for nearly a whole year, in the pretense that “It’s only a South Australian matter”. They left it to the likes of the nuclear lobby’s puppet “The Adelaide Advertiser” to give information on this purely State matter.
Is it just a State matter? Or is Australia as a whole interested in the Scarce plan for this nation to become the only place in the world to invite in the global nuclear industry’s radioactive poo?
And the only nation foolish enough to think that this will make us prosperous!
News This Week: South Australia Nuclear Waste Plan, and Big Corporations go for Renewable Energy
On Monday February 15, the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain (sorry “Cycle’) Royal Commission will announce its “tentative findings” . They’re most likely to concentrate on importing nuclear wastes. The pretense may be kept up, that this is only a South Australian matter. But it’s possible that the Australian media will notice it, and no doubt commend it, too?In this week’s news I single out two significant themes – 1. the analysis of Senator Sean Edwards’ plan for importing nuclear wastes, and 2. the fact that big corporations are investing in renewable energy. Now, isn’t Australia’s Liberal Coalition government supposed to be on the side of business? Are they aware that Telstra and AGL Energy are not, in fact, tree-hugging hippies out to destroy Australia’s economy?
1.
- Australia Institute Analyses Senator Sean Edwards’ Nuclear Plan For South Australia.
- Sean Edwards proposal for nuclear pot of gold – a myth, says South Australia’s Conservation Council.
- Even Adelaide newspaper aware of unrealism of Sen Edwards nuclear fantasy.
- Here’s how the Australia Institute demolishes the argument for importing nuclear waste, and for new nuclear (PRISM) technology.
- Environmental Defenders Office (SA) outlines critical issues in proposal for nuclear waste facility.
- Traditional Owners vow to fight nuclear proposals ahead of the Royal Commission’s draft report
- Greens ready for #NuclearCommissionSAust report “all about waste dumping”
South Australia – decision on nuclear expansion at end of 2016.
Federal:
Hunt for site to dump LucasHeights radioactive trash. Friends of Omanama: A local community’s perspective on national nuclear waste storage. Senator Scott Ludlam backs 6 Australian communities opposing nuclear waste dump. Strong opposition to Hill End nuclear waste plan- petition
A big mistake to gut CSIRO climate change research.
They meant Environment Minister Greg Hunt won World’s Best Milliner (not Minister).
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency In bushfire season, Solar microgrids and batteries are safer than conventional grid.South Australia Riverland farmers get new crop – harvesting the sun. Clean Energy Finance Corporation funds Energy-efficient housing.
February 6: the week in nuclear news in Australia
UN Panel Report finds in favour of Julian Assange
As usual, all seems to be quiet in this sleepy land of Oz. And yet, and yet – the nuclear lobby is manipulating away as usual, with THE AUSTRALIAN and South AUSTRALIA’s ADVERTISER as its mouthpieces. We are now being told yet again how essential it is to have a centralised nuclear waste dump – for medical reasons, of course. Not true, as Australia’s Medical Association for the Prevention of War reminds us. Australia could have cheaper, safer, non nuclear cyclotrons, at hospitals, to produce medical radioisotopes. No need for that Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.
There’s a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into Lucas Heights Nuclear Waste Management Facilities.
Jolly Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg says radiation anxieties are based on myth.
Queensland government rejects any nuclear waste dump plan. Queensland disused coal power site could be solar station this year.
South Australia. South Australian community in Kimba alarmed: nuclear waste site “at Minister’s discretion”. South Australia’s Port Augusta at the crossroads: clean renewable energy, or dirty nuclear? Port Augusta Council to consider DP Energy’s big solar/wind project. AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR ASSOCIATION wants nuclear reactors on Spencer Gulf.
Continuing my reviews of Pro Nuclear Submissions to the Royal Commission: Australian Government Submission. That submission also recommends cyclotrons as a method to produce medical isotopes! Charles Waite’s Submission wants tax-payer to buy Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. Christopher Camarsh touts underwater nuclear reactors
New South Wales. Community opposition might stop Hill End nuclear waste dump plan : U-turn by MP John Cobb on nuclear policy
Western Australia. Endangered Marsupial Mole and more at Proposed Australia-Japan (Toro) Uranium Mine in Western Australia, Comment Deadline 8 Feb 2016.
ACT. Canberra’s Williamsdale Solar Farm approved
Victoria. Australia’s dirtiest coal-fired power station launches global campaign for 1,000GW of solar
Renewable energy an economic boon for Australia’s drought affected rural communities. Turnbull copying Abbott as destroyer of renewables, stripping Australian Renewable Energy Agency. AFL Footee Chief Gillon McLachlan a neanderthal anti-wind crusader
Coal and gas.Massive Adani coal mine halted indefinitely due to poor coal market. AGL pulls out of CSG plan in Gloucester as NSW and Queensland projects are abandoned.
South Australia’s Port Augusta at the crossroads: clean renewable energy, or dirty nuclear?
Port Augusta now has the opportunity to be part of Australia’s move into 21st Century clean energy. The DP Energy project for a renewable energy park with wind and solar is up for consideration and public consultation.
What’s the betting that the snake oil salesmen of the nuclear lobby will be exerting pressure against this exciting new venture.
Remember – renewable energy projects can be up and runnning with a year ot two. Compare that with nuclear power’s record of literally decades to have operational. And even that’s in countries where nuclear power plant is permitted by law – which is not the case in Australia.
Readers of this site may be aware that sevral Submissions to the South Australia Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission have their sights set on Port Augusta. For example, the one on this page, from the Australian Nuclear Association – that persistent lobbyist and publicist for the nuclear industry.
How do communities in other countries feel about hosting nuclear waste dumps?
The Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission in full swing in South Australia , (though ignored in Australia at large), with its plan to import nuclear wastes.
It is timely to ask why foreign countries might want to send their radioactive trash here.
After all, the nuclear lobby keeps telling us that radioactive trash is a RESOURCE, not WASTES. So why wouldn’t other countries want to keep it, and get rich from new purportedly “waste eating” nuclear reactors?
An article from an American County is relevant to this discussion in Australia. As you read, you will get a whiff of the problem in USA.
Rocky road for nuclear waste bore hole study, http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/rocky-road-for-nuclear-waste-bore-hole-study/article_7698d465-0316-5031-83e9-bc727d3592b9.html By Lauren Donovan, A plan to explore deep ancient rock in Pierce County for its potential to store nuclear waste hit a bumpy road if not a rock wall in its first introduction to state officials Thursday.
The State Board of University and School Lands heard from the Energy and Environmental Research Center at Grand Forks that its team was awarded $35 million by the federal Department of Energy to drill 16,000 feet down into crystalline rock to learn whether the rock could suitably store spent nuclear fuels.
John Harju, project liaison, said the bore hole is for study purposes only, no waste would be stored there and that such storage isn’t even yet legal under federal rules.
Harju said the bore hole would be an opportunity to analyze rock core that’s rarely ever been looked at for minerals or geothermal properties. The chance to go that deep, into the oldest rock on the planet, “may never present itself again,” Harju said.
The issue was presented to the land board because EERC is proposing to drill on 20 acres of state-owned land about 15 miles south of Rugby.
Pierce County commissioners were at the meeting and said they were startled to read about the project before anyone from EERC even came to the county.
Commissioner Duane Johnston said, if the issue had come up at a local zoning meeting, “half the county would have been there to say no.” Commission chairman Dave Migler said it was tough to take calls from residents and not have much information to share. “It’d be nice to be in the loop,” he said.
While there was no formal application on the table, land board members didn’t hesitate to weigh in with worries that a federal project could become a federal mandate.
In the end, it was far from clear how the EERC would proceed with getting approval to use public land for the project in Pierce County, or perhaps anywhere in the state.
Afterward, Harju said he was a little surprised by his reception. “Plan B? We don’t have one. If the project is not able to proceed, the DOE will have to evaluate” alternatives, he said.
The five-year project was awarded to the Battelle Memorial Institute of Ohio, along with EERC and Schlumberger, a familiar drilling service company in the Bakken. The crystalline rock formation underlies much of the continent.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 
