Australia’s media marketing push – mining in 2010, nuclear in 2011
In 2010 a marketing media blitz managed to convince most of Australia that poor deprived mining corporations really needed our charity. Gina Rinehart and other poverty stricken notables all helped get the sympathy needed to ditch Kevin Rudd’s Super Profits Resources Tax. Indeed BHP, Rio Xstrata were emboldened to team up with rught-wing unionists and Labor men, to ditch Kevin Rudd himself.
Tomorrow, BHP will graciously announce something like a $20 billion profit, even though they thought they were to be so hard up. A nice return for short term investment – but not for Australia’s future as non-renewable resources boom takes precedence over our environment, and financial future in view of the coming climate change extremes.
If 2010 was the year of media marketing charity to poor mining corporations, 2011 looks like being the year of marketing the “nuclear debate” in the interests of those same corporations. Australians will be urged to forget about renewable energy – and concentrate on BHP’s need to export uranium to China, maybe to India. maybe Australia should set up a nuclear waste import industry.
Little however, is being said right now, as Martin Ferguson and the government arrange to dump radioactive wastes on the land of Aboriginals at Muckaty. But as soon as that hurdle is over ….. Christina Macpherson
Pro nuclear Tim Flannery is wrong choice for Climate Change communicator
While Tim Flannery is a powerful communicator to spread the message on global warming and climate change, he is far from having the full picture on the nuclear issue. Unfortunately, the Gillard government has once again chosen a spokesman who will toe the BHP Billiton line on uranium and nuclear power.
Here are some of Flannery’s simplistic views on the issue: Climate change is so catastrophic and imminent that only nuclear power can save us,”….”If Australia were to switch from coal to nuclear power, we would make only a small reduction (about 1 per cent) in global carbon dioxide pollution. But it would be a noble act, for our carbon dioxide pollution is devastating the entire world.”- (The Age 5/8/ 2006)
“Over the next two decades, Australians could use nuclear power to replace all our coal-fired power plants. We would then have a power infrastructure like that of France, and in doing so we would have done something great for the world, for whatever risks go with a domestic nuclear power industry are local, while greenhouse gas pollution is global in its impact…..” (The Age 30/5/06)
Australian company setting up nuclear power in Egypt
Australian company Worley Parsons is setting up a nuclear power plant in Egypt. Is this a good idea?
Egypt has been quietly carrying out research and development on weapons of mass destruction — including nuclear
Egypt’s WMD programs complicate U.S. response, World blog, 7 Feb 2011, With Egypt in revolt and the country’s future uncertain, concern is growing over whether a new government in the Arab world’s most militarily and industrially advanced country could accelerate an arms race in one of the world’s most volatile regions. Continue reading
Nuclear Power and Civil Liberties – theme for February 2011
With uranium mining, nuclear power, nuclear wastes, and nuclear weapons, – civil liberties are increasingly eroded. They must be, even when all seems to be going smoothly. Nuclear reprocessing, with plutonium as fuel, would necessitate taking away even more civil liberties.
A police state would develop, even with “peaceful” nuclear reprocessing. But imagine how fast we would lose civil liberties, in the event of a nuclear mishap – theft of plutonium, terrorist strike, accident. For a start, the public would not even be informed, (for fear of public panic). Very quickly, that police state would be turned into a martial law state.
Truth is no obstacle to Martin Ferguson, Australia’s Minister for the Nuclear Lobby
The truth is, apparently, no obstacle to Australia’s Minister for the Nuclear Industry – Martin Ferguson, who calls nuclear energy “clean” , and assures us , despite all the evidence, that it is “cheap”
Floods, cyclones – but – no problem to Ferguson. Cyclone George in March 2007 caused flooding at Energy Resources of Australia Ltd.’s Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory. 2011, and Ranger is shut because of floods again. Nuclear plants would have to be along the coastline – but, don’t let’s worry about cyclones, floods, sea surges, rising sea levels.
Internationally – Problems of stormwater raised about Sizewell Nuclear Plant (UK), flood risks of uranium mining to water supply at Virginia Beach (USA), earthquake risks to Jaipatur nuclear plant (India)
Also internationally, – and – such bad taste of me to mention this – but Australian company Worley Parsons is helping to build a nuclear plant in Egypt. But, in case Australians didn’t notice – this is looking like not a real good idea right now.
And, of course, Ferguson and his puppet masters are very quiet about India’s buildup of nuclear weapons – you see, it’s patriotic for Australians to sell uranium to well, anybody!
Nuclear power and Australia’s civil liberties – theme for February 2011
The nuclear fuel cycle means that civil liberties must be restricted. Already in Australia they are restricted because of the dangers to: – American military installations based in Australia, Lucas Heights nuclear reactor, uranium mines, uranium transport.
Civil liberties must be restricted in view of risks of terrorism, need for scrutiny of workers, need for strong law enforcement and weakening of court proceedings – dramatically so, in the case of any nuclear emergency
And, let’s not forget, Australians’ civil liberties are restricted in the (lack of) flow of information about government nuclear dealings with USA and other countries.
How much more will Australia lose, of its fragile civil liberties, if we let our government take this country into nuclear power, and to importing radioactive nuclear wastes!
THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper should be renamed the ANTI AUSTRALIAN
Every so rarely, THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper publishes a clear, logical and well researched article on climate or nuclear power.
Ever so often, THE AUSTRALIAN gives prominent voice to Australia’s most highly paid nuclear lobby advertising man, Ziggy Switkowski, and to climate change denier, Lord Monckton. As well as to various others, such as Tony Abbott,who are in the service of multinational fossil fuel lobbies, and the USA military-industrial complex.
Australia can be likened to the canary in the cage in old time underground mines. That is, Australia is, of all the developed countries, the first to show the extreme effects of global warming.
These effects are hitting us now. How will they hit our grandchildren? How will a nuclear waste import industry affect our grandchildren?
THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper does not care. It helps the polluters by confusing the public. One might imagine that THE AUSTRALIAN, as or only national newspaper, might have some duty to the Australian people. Apparently not. That is why it should be renamed THE ANTI AUSTRALIAN – news for the benefit of the polluters.
Australia’s Nuclear Free Future: theme for January
Australia, with its enormous resources of sun, wind and wave, and of educated people, has a great opportunity to lead the world, – to:
- Take a positive role in combatting climate change
- Conserve its fragile environment, land and water
- Provide thousands of interesting, healthy, and forward-looking jobs
- Develop a thriving export industry in renewables and renewable know-how
Australia’s inconvenient flooding puts damper on nuclear power plans
Ziggy Switkowski, Martin Ferguson and the whole sorry band of Australia’s nuclear salesmen must be cringing at today’s article by Josh Frydenberg (Liberal Party federal member for Kooyong, Victoria.)
What bad timing! Apart from the fact that the article ignores the USA’s and UK’s nuclear waste crises, the German anti-nuclear mass movement, and the French commercial catastrophe of its new unfinished nuclear reactors, the article’s timing is just rotten luck for the nuclear power case in Australia. They’d be wiser to lie low for some time.
How would nuclear power plants, dotted along Australia’s East coast, (as planned) go in a flood period. What about those “cooling ponds” sitting there with radioactive used nuclear fuel rods? Are we sure they wouldn’t get mixed up in the flood waters? Christina Macpherson
(I sent a comment to THE AUSTRALIAN along these lines. Dunno if they’re going to print it.)
Renewables, not nuclear, for Australia’s future – theme for January
Renewable energy prospects, in the long term, should look good for Australia. Our vision for the future can be clouded by confusion over climate change action, and by an unprecedented push by the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency are becoming more popular globally, especially among younger people, and costs are coming down, with rapid developments in solar and wind technology.
Another global development is the growth in local, decentralised renewable power – small scale solar and wind technology, at the same time as centralised renewables grow, too.
Electric cars now become important – as they are eminently suited to renewable energy.
No wonder the nuclear lobby is desperately hyping its product. Time is running out for them, and the success of renewable energy is their biggest fear. No country is better suited to renewable energy than Australia, with its huge resources in sunshine, wind and wave power.
Is South Australia putting all its eggs into uranium mining basket?
South Australian Premier Mike Rann seems inordinately proud that his state is leading the supposed “uranium boom”. He boasts of not only the grand Olympic Dam (? biggest man -made hole in the world), but also Beverley North (largely owned by USA weapons maker Neal Blue) and other mines in the planning or exploration stage.
Trouble is – uranium mining is a huge waste of water – BHP guzzles millions of litres daily – for free – in such a dry State as S.A.
Problem could be – what if China really does make a go of its planned nuclear fuel reprocessing? What happens then to the grand future for South Australia’s uranium market? Bad enough that the commercial nuclear industry is on its last legs in USA, UK and Europe – but China has been the great yellow, and yellowcake hope for South Australia. Might be better for S.A. to diversify, put a bit more support into agriculture, manufacturing, service industries, and genuine support for renewable energy. – Christina Macpherson
Australia needs clarity from government and media on climate science
A timely sign for hope in the New Year. Obama ‘s new guidelines are aimed at preventing political interference in science. This has been sorely needed, following the censorship and interference in climate science done by the Bush administration.
“independent peer review by qualified experts” – this is especially needed, since the avalanche of climate change scepticism put out by supposed experts.
Australia needs this too. And the Australian media needs to wake up to the difference between the climate change spiel of Ian Plimer, and Lord Monckton, and the work of authentic scientists, such as Australia’s Chief scientist. Penny Sackett.
On the nuclear issue – the media might ponder why it gives such prominence 
to nuclear salesman, Ziggy Switkowski, when he pronounces on issues such as climate change, radiation and health, matters on which he clearly knows little.
Under the radar – the real news on Australia’s uranium industry
This week has seen some interesting revelations about BHP Billiton, and about Australia’s uranium mining industry. Wikileaks revealed the influence of BHP over the Australian government. How BHP sank Rio deal
BHP’s draft environmental impact statement update on the expansion of Olympic Dam mine went to government – but without any consideration of the (quite practical) option of Olympic Dam mine becoming a copper industry project, without need for uranium industry.
Also, the Australian government quietly approved US-owned and privately held Heathgate to develop its Beverley North uranium project in South Australia. Heathgate is owned by General Atomics, with its controversial CEO Neal Blue. General Atomics main business is in weapons manufacture, especially the predator drones currently used in Afghanistan. General Atomics is also notorious for its environmental misdeeds. At its uranium processing plant on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma, General Atomics for years covered up radioactive water and gas leaks.
Heathgate is not required to clean up its existing Four Mile uranium mine in South Australia
The approval for this new uranium project is the result of years of General Atomic spending $thousands’ lobbying and ferrying of USA politicians to Australia, , and Australian federal and state politicians to USA . Controversies involving Healthgate and General Atomics — Friends of the Earth Australia
When it comes to decisions on uranium mining in Australia, money talks much louder than ethics. – Christina Macpherson
Australia’s Julian Assange and the ethics of nuclear power
On nuclear-news we have already noted several nuclear issues shown by the latest Wikileaks revelations. From the point of view of nuclear discussion, this can only be welcome. The secrecy surrounding all things nuclear is one great source of unethical actions by the uranium, nuclear, and weapons industry.
The debate rages about the ethics of Julian Assange and Wikileaks – with arguments including the possible risks raised for USA undercover agents.
(Mind you, the USA govt was quite happy to “out” one of its own agents, Valerie Plume, when her husband Joe Wilson blew the whistle on USA’s aims in invading Iraq. – see the movie “Fair Game” Fair Game (2010) – IMDb)
Julian Assange is now being pursued with all sorts of allegations and attacks on his character. The ethics of his attackers are more questionable than his. Wikileaks next revelations are to be about the finance industry and big corporations. No wonder that they, and the nuclear industry are in a tizz about Wikileaks.
Ethics and Australia’s fight against nuclear power – theme for December
It is easiest to just adopt the good old “she’ll be right, mate” attitude, and to ignore the push for the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia. After all, some Australian make money out of uranium, and who cares if other countries make bombs out of it?
It’s also easy to please the powers that be, and go along with BHP Billiton etc, and Australian politicians in the drive for the nuclear fuel cycle here.
But, it takes courage to stand up for the environment, health, peace, against the push. Most courageous of all, the Aboriginal people who make this stand – against the propaganda, bribery, and threats of the pro-nuclear push.
1 This month
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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