Biased Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission – will it sink like a rock?
To make Australia the toilet for the world’s radioactive trash – this is an extraordinary aim!
To pretend that it’ s just a little local issue – to (supposedly) bring jobs to south Australia – is ludicrous!
By the way – those dirty and dangerous jobs wouldn’t come for decades. Meanwhile South Australia would miss out on its opportunities to be a hub of jobs in renewable energy and clean agriculture, fisheries wine-making, tourism. If South Australia were to become that global radioactive trash toilet – goodbye to its clean green image!
Of course it’s a National issue – however much our bought politicians of both Liberal and Labor pretend that it doesn’t matter – not an election issue – keep it hush hush till December.
Look out for all the pro nuclear tripe from those drinking at the corporate trough.
The week that has been in Australia’s nuclear and climate news
Late news flashes:
- Submarine purchase from France in cahoots with nuclear lobby‘s plan for expansion of nuclear industry, to be announced on May 6 by the sham South Australia Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission.
- The seller, France’s corporation Direction des Constructions et Armes Navales (DCNS) is notorious for corruption.
Most impressive news item of the week – Central bankers, financial facts, bringing an end to the nuclear power era?
NUCLEAR. A quiet week on the nuclear front turned busy, just at the end. The Federal government suddenly announced the site chosen as a national radioactive dump, at Barndioota, South Australia,- a nice little bonanza for property owner former SA Liberal Senator Grant Chapman. Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners did not share his joy, and will fight nuclear waste dump plan. Communities from the five other proposed radioactive waste sites are supporting the Flinders community campaign against the dump.
In the coming week, the South Australia Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission will recommend making Australia the world’s nuclear waste dump. The whole Commission was a setup job from the beginning. #NuclearCommissionSAust sets up a pro nuclear Committee for Adelaide overseas junket. South Australia’s pro nuclear tourists picked a bad day to visit Finland.
Meanwhile South Australia is in a frenzy of delight that there will be a submarine business there, supplied by France at $5 billion, (presumable good election value at $10 billion per each of the 5 marginal Liberal seats). Only it’s very costly, and they mightn’t be built in S.A. at all. But hey – the design is for nuclear submarines !- not fuelled by nuclear at this stage. Maybe later.
CLIMATE Turnbull’s climate policy deceptions – cut climate funds, then announce new policies. Urgent need to end $7.7 Billion Fossil Fuel Subsidies. Australia needs action, not just Turnbull’s words, to save the Great Barrier Reef.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Canberra at the forefront in the new renewable energy era. First-ever council solar farm for Queensland – on the Sunshine Coast. Export industry potential for Victorian solar energy project, backed by Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Submarine buyers in cahoots with the spurious Nuclear Royal Commission
And here was I, thinking that I was paranoid, for imagining that the Federal government’s choice of a submarine provider had anything to do with South Australia’s shonky Nuclear Royal Commission.
Yes, I did wonder why, after Tony Abbott promising Japan that they would supply the subs at $40 billion, the govt chose a $50 billion deal. (I thought that Turnbull must have been happy to spend the extra $10 billion just to nark Abbott)
I did wonder why the Royal Commission spent several days in France, conferring with officials and nuclear corporation AREVA, the very days when AREVA went broke, and had to be taken over by the also nearly broke EDF.
I did wonder why they chose a nuclear-powered design (to be fuelled by diesel) when better and cheaper non nuclear designs were available from Germany and Japan.
But now we know. The whole deal was done in collusion with the masterminds of the spurious Royal Commission, and its plans for the eventual entire toxic nuclear fuel chain in Australia.
23 April Past week in Australian nuclear and climate news
It has been a big week for climate news, with the New York signing, by a record 175 countries, of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
CLIMATE. I’d love to say that Australia was a big participant in the historic climate change meeting, and Agreement, in New York on 22 April. Sadly, not so. Yes, we signed up, but ratification, and any meaningful action – No! Indeed, Australia was not invited to high level climate group in New York – a meeting for “high ambition” climate action nations, not “low ambition” ones.
IF that were not bad enough, Australia’s Attorney General George Brandis publicly stated his doubt about the science of climate change, as did another Coalition Senator, Deputy Nationals leader Fiona Nash. Indeed, Australia at New York was the ultimate climate action hypocrite.
Steaming hot world sets more temperature records, especially in Australia. The dying Great Barrier Reef – due to Australia’s carbon exports. Traditional Owners’ rejection of Carmichael coal mine stands, despite Adani bank rolling bogus “land use agreement”
NUCLEAR. Australia to sell uranium to Ukraine? – insensitive timing, economic and security folly.
NUCLEAR ROYAL COMMISSION. Just where does South Australia’s charismatic Senator Nick Xenophon stand on nuclear waste importing?
Responses to the Commission’s ‘Tentative Findings’ included this telling one from Dan Monceaux, writing about the health of uranium and nuclear workers, and about the secrecy surrounding this.
Meanwhile the nuclear lobby has revved up its propaganda, prior to the Commission’s announcement on May 6th, that South Australia should start a nuclear waste import industry.
However, the nuclear lobby’s determined campaign to show the Commission as solely a matter for South Australia has not worked internationally. America’s influential Nuclear Information and Resource Service is running a petition Help stop A Global Mobile Chernobyl! supporting Australians’ opposition to the nuclear waste import plan.
Breakfast with the Toffs, after May 6th Nuclear Royal Commission announces wonderful waste import plan
Spin all over the place about Australia’s so wonderful opportunities in the uranium/nuclear industry! It’s all part of the leadup to the shonky Nuclear Fuel Commission’s unsurprising recommendation that South Australia should import radioactive trash.
I guess they had a good time with the charade of the Royal Commission, jaunts overseas for the nuclear shills, and the spurious business of taking submissions – of course, as Kev says, the antinuke ones were mostly “emotional, so they don’t count anyway.
Let’s begin with good old reliable nuclear stooge Kevin Scarce. For just the measly $67.50 , you can have brekky with him – a sit-down hot breakfast, layered berry yoghurt muesli shot, seasonal fruit, brewed coffee, T Bar teas and fresh juice.
Meanwhile, Kev will tell you how you beaut it will be when South Australia goes full steam ahead with importing radioactive trash and expanding the nuclear fuel chain. See more at Action Australia.
Anyway, it’s a suitable breakfast price. We do want to keep the great unwashed out, after all .
Meanwhile, back at the struggling, barely surviving uranium mining industry, they are putting on a bold face, too.
The Minerals Council of Australia’s Uranium Forum has today released a range of material that purports to demonstrate the potential benefits of further developing Australia’s uranium industry. ‘Uranium: Untapped Potential’ includes a poster, a series of videos featuring industry experts and voices, and social media material highlighting the untapped potential further growth of the uranium industry offers Australia. They’r on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube. linked in, as well as the usual mainstream media.
South Australia could save water by adopting India’s brilliant solar energy plan
Today’s story from India – about setting up solar panels over water channels – set me thinking about South Australia. I think South Australia is the most beautiful State, and with a proud and interesting history.
It is also, arguably, the nation’s most water stressed State.
It is so frustrating that the politics and economics of beautiful South Australia are in the hands of ignorant neanderthals. That want to damage the country, and extract even more water than BHP Billiton now does at Olympic Dam uranium mine, – by expanding the water intensive nuclear industry. And all this with the risk of radioactively polluting the precious groundwater.
India’s solar panels over water channels not only provide electricity. They also reduce evaporation. What a boon for a hot climate! South Australia’s SunDrop Farms have also made use of the water-saving abilities of solar panels.
South Australia has the expertise to lead the world in clean energy and water management.
What a pity it is run by deadheads!
The week in climate and nuclear news
Climate news, and renewable energy news have been coming thick and fast, over the past week. By contrast, it might appear that nothing is happening on the nuclear scene. However, things are happening, while the nuclear lobby intensifies its propaganda, both in mainstream news, and with renewed emphasis on “social media”
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR.
Greens manage to put some brakes on South Australian govt’s pro nuclear promotion. Business Council of Australia firmly in the grip of the nuclear lobby.
Michele Madigan remembers Bob Ellis and that other nuclear royal commission. Aboriginal nuclear test survivors to join Japan’s Hibakusha in Nagasaki.
ERA’s uranium mining at Ranger ends: ERA can afford rehabilitation of site.
Australian nuclear shill Ben Heard under fire from Canadian nuclear shill Patrick Moore.
Wangan and Jagalingou people taking further legal action, against Adani coal mining leases.
CLIMATE
Australia joins global climate action, in words, but not deeds. Since Liberal Coalition govt dumped carbon price, greenhouse emissions have soared. Climate denialist Maurice Newman might split the Liberal Party? As CSIRO slashes jobs, water science in South Australia a big loser.
Australian authorities covering up severity of Great Barrier Reef’s plight. Minister Greg Hunt did not impress David Attenborough, with his uninformed comments about the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian oil and gas lobbies spent up big, to discredit science of climate change.
Carbon Disclosure Project lists Canberra as a global climate change leader.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
- A solar world first for Perth: solar panels and battery storage on apartment buildings.
- Solar powered vehicles for Australia – energy utilities now supportive.
- Tasmania’s Bruny Island residents to sell solar power to the grid
- New board and chairman for Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
AND ALSO. Australia cuts aid to Africa, encourages Ugly Australian Mining Companies. Perth-based Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC) denies role in murder of South African activist.
11 April News on corruption, climate and nuclear power
This week, I stray even further away from the narrow focus on things nuclear. It’s impossible not to notice the achievements of investigative reporters, collaborating across the globe, to reveal widespread corruption in the oil industry, and in the finance industry. In both cases, hundreds of journalists worked for a year in bringing these facts together. I’m glad I’ve been watching the BBC series John le Carre’s “The Night Manager” – helped me to understand how corruption works, including legalised corruption. But I digress even worse.
There’s another massive global corruption going on, and this is the corruption of science. Our grandchildren and great grandchildren will have cause to blame us, as governments, industries, media, join in complacency, or even downright denial, of the reality of anthropogenic climate change. A major source of information on climate change is at http://www.ecoshock.org/ – where you will learn that that there really is no time to lose: climate change may be happening faster than we all thought.
Equally important, but “under the radar”, is corruption in the nuclear industry. That hasn’t been investigated yet, but are we to believe that the nuclear industry is squeaky clean? At least two aspects of science corruption are lies promoted by the industry – the lie that nuclear power will save the climate, and the lie that low dose ionising radiation is harmless, even good for you. I suspect that there is more to come.
AUSTRALIA
In the global oil corruption scandal, Australia is right up there in the thick of it. In the Panama financial corruption , we’re well represented there, too! Mining corporation BHP Billiton gets special mention. But – be comforted – BHP Billiton is not an Australian company – it is about 70% London owned, despite its boast to be The Big Australian.
IN BRIEF. Australia will sign the Paris climate agreement (not sure we’ll actually DO ANYTHING about it). Queensland Premier approved Andani coal project. Aboriginal people vigourously oppose this. But heck!. Does it really matter? Adani well knows that the Carmichael coal mine expansion is not economically viable anyway.
THE WORST news about Australia is in the switch of purpose for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Drastically cutting the climate research staff, CSIRO will no longer be devoted to research for the public good, but to research for money-making projects. Minister Christopher Pyne has the power to intervene in this, but he won’t.
That speaks volumes about the lack of moral purpose of the Australian government.
Transfer of radioactive trash across the globe is such a con job!
This transfer of wastes from UK to USA is such a con job. It’s portrayed as a “win win”, with the pretense of obtaining medical radioisotopes for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. . What a lie! What an unequal swap!
First of all, medical radioisotopes can be obtained without use of nuclear reactor, as Canada is now doing. By use of non nuclear cyclotrons – linear accelerators, these radioisotopes (most being very short-lived) can be made close to the point of use – a much more practical system.
Second, the whole transport idea is bizarrely unsafe – passing through or over communities, waterways – risk of accident, of terrorism.
Thirdly, it is madness to set up this “exchange” plan, in order to prolong this noxious industry, and with that silly figleaf of nuclear medicine tacked on top of it.
Blind Freddy could see that the number one priority is to stop making radioactive trash
The week that has been, in nuclear and climate news
It’s getting harder, and more ridiculous, to separate nuclear issues from fossil fuel issues. Nuclear and coal power are really intertwined, indeed depending on each other, and both contributing to global warming.
And now there’s the global oil corruption scandal, which really can’t be ignored. Australia is right in the thick of it.
Australian and Marshall Islander nuclear test survivors demand a ban on nuclear weapons.
CLIMATE and ENERGY. Urgent need to shift to zero carbon power – as soon as 2018. Axe over controversial Shenhua coal mine in New England. Australia’s home solar battery company launches new product. Australia wasting over $2.5 million investigating ‘wind turbine syndrome‘. China’s State Grid Eyes Australia
POLITICS. We assume that Julie Bishop will oppose radioactive trash import, as she fears nuclear terrorism
It’s wrong to sell Australian uranium to critically unsafe Ukraine. The country that fuelled Fukushima to sell uranium to the country that gave us Chernobyl
SOUTH AUSTRALIA changes to Aboriginal Heritage Act – a precursor to nuclear waste dumping?
Desert Liberation Front (anti uranium) to rally outside Olympic Dam
Nuclear waste dump plan
- See this short video, from Today Tonight Adelaide, explaining the South Australian nuclear waste dump proposal.
- Scarce determined to recommend nuclear waste import and dump for South Australia. Kevin Scarce buys expert pro nuclear opinions from Switzerland and Belgium.
- South Australia’s elitist Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission ignores any arguments that are not pro nuclear.
- Sisters of St Joseph oppose nuclear waste import, defend sacred lands of Aboriginal people.
- Who will benefit from nuclear waste import scheme – international nuclear companies!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Faults exposed with Mulga Rock uranium mining proposal
QUEENSLAND Federal solar funding switch to hurt state
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY funding battery storage in homes.
VICTORIA. At last Victoria might now get going, farming solar energy.
NEW SOUTH WALES. Origin energy buys power from Moree solar farm.
Nuclear news excluded or downplayed in Australian media
The terrorists’ initial aim to blow up Belgium’s nuclear reactors was explained on SBS World News, last night, but did not get a mention on ABC news. It was reported on Sydney Morning Herald, but that story appears to have been withdrawn.( – Brussels bombers considered nuclear site, changed their minds: report Sydney Morning Herald–24 Mar. 2016. )
I doubt that it was reported on the Murdoch dominated commercial media
Could Australia’s media be experiencing pressure to avoid uncomfortable nuclear topics, – heading in the self censorship direction now prevalent in Japan?
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?
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