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?
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!
1 This month.
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