Anti-coal protest at Newcastle – 66 charged by police
66 charged at Newcastle anti-coal protest May 8, 2016 SMH, Tim Connell Sixty-six people were charged by police on Sunday after they took part in a climate change protest at Newcastle’s coal harbour.
About 1500 joined the demonstration, part of a global day of protests about fossil fuel use.
About 200 took to the water in kayaks and canoes, to impede access to the port, while 57 were arrested for blocking a rail line to the coal loader……. A spokesman from environmental activist group 350.org said climate change was an important issue to raise as the country prepared for the election on July 2.
“On a day when the election [was] called, it’s sending a signal to our elected leaders,” spokesman Campbell Klose said.
Despite the arrests, the protests were mainly peaceful, Mr Klose said……http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/66-charged-at-newcastle-anticoal-protest-20160508-gopbna.html
Nuclear waste import plan – a tough test for democracy
Daniel Wills: Once the gabfests of two citizens’ juries is over, a tough political call remains on storing high-level nuclear waste in SA May 10, 2016 Daniel WillsState Political Editor The Advertiser
- Citizens’ jury to guide nuclear waste dump decision
- Royal Commission finds nuclear storage would reap a fortune for SA
- But don’t hold your breath waiting for nuclear power in SA
- Flinders Ranges indigenous leaders prepared to fight against waste dump
VOTERS consistently call for bold political leadership, but revolt when blindsided with big and difficult decisions. By convening a citizens’ jury to determine future policy on a nuclear waste dump, Labor is trying to both test and cajole public opinion…………
The SA Royal Commission recommendation for the state to pursue a high-level international nuclear waste storage facility is almost the biggest test a democracy can imagine.
It will have irreversible impacts that will last for as long as people live on this patch of dirt.
The waste will have to be stored for 100,000 years. The pyramids are just 4500 years old. White settlement came to SA only 180 years ago. Countless generations will deal with the fallout……http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/daniel-wills-once-the-gabfests-of-two-citizens-juries-is-over-a-tough-political-call-remains-on-storing-highlevel-nuclear-waste-in-sa/news-story/1f1a20bd4ccc516ad5ef9f08b40427c2
What a waste: Royal Commission dumps on South Australia
A plan to store high level international nuclear waste in South Australia is dangerous and divisive and could turn remote SA into a permanent radioactive waste zone, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today.
“The Royal Commission’s final report is deeply disturbing in what it says and what it fails to acknowledge,” said ACF campaigner Dave Sweeney. “The promise of dollar signs seems to have blinded the Commission to the known danger signs. “The exaggerated economic benefits and under-analysed risks detailed in an Australia Institute critique of the Commission’s tentative findings in February have not been adequately addressed by today’s final report. “
ACF urges Premier Jay Weatherill, who initiated this process in March 2015, not to use this flawed report to advance an irreversible and highly adverse nuclear dump plan. “The essential pre-conditions for storing high level international radioactive waste – bipartisan federal support and broad national community consent – are both missing.”
The Australian Greens have condemned the Royal Commission’s international dump plan and at its most recent National Conference federal Labor reaffirmed its ‘strong opposition’ to the importation and storage of overseas waste. Aboriginal people and the wider community are mobilising against federal plans for a national radioactive waste facility in the Flinders Ranges.
This opposition is likely to escalate in response to a move to dump high level international radioactive waste in SA. “High level radioactive waste is a long term environmental threat, not a short term business opportunity,” Dave Sweeney said. “The coal era has ended in SA today – it would be absurd and tragic to open the door to the dirty, dangerous and equally antiquated nuclear trade. “South Australians deserve better than to be told their best hope for the future is to house the world’s worst waste.”
SA’s agriculture reputation ‘will be totally destroyed’ – Caldicott
Anti-nuclear pioneer Helen Caldicott slams SA waste dump plans ABC News 10 May 16 A pioneer of Australia’s anti-nuclear movement has described the final report from South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission as a “snow job”.
The report says plans for a high- to intermediate-level waste dump should be actively pursued, if the public wants it.
The report by commissioner Kevin Scarce was handed to the SA Government at the end of last week and made 12 recommendations.
They include pursuing a waste dump, simplifying mining approvals processes and seeking a relaxation of federal restrictions on nuclear power generation in Australia.
Tentative findings released in February recommended the creation of a high-level waste nuclear dump that would store 138,000 tonnes of spent fuel from around the world, as well as a separate “above-ground interim storage facility”.
Doctor Helen Caldicott is a paediatrician who also helped found the organisation Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Her anti-nuclear work stretches back decades and includes playing a major role in Australia’s opposition to French atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Dr Caldicott said in relation to the waste dump, no technology exists to safely store nuclear waste in the long term.
“It’s [the royal commission report] exactly as I expected. It’s really been a snow job, if you like,” she said.
“Paid for by the State Government, to the tune of millions of dollars, to set up a high level nuclear waste dump in SA for much of the world’s radioactive waste.”
SA’s agriculture reputation ‘will be totally destroyed’
Dr Caldicott said the state’s record as a centre of fine produce would be ruined by establishing a nuclear waste facility.
“SA has a great reputation for agriculture and I travel a lot overseas, particularly in the US,” she said.
“That extraordinary reputation will be totally destroyed and it will impact upon the agricultural facilities of SA it all seems quite absurd.”………http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-10/anti-nuclear-pioneer-caldicott-slams-dump-plans/7399454
South Australia’s dubious Nuclear Royal Commission hands in its pro nuclear report today
SA nuclear royal commission report due AAP on May 6, 2016, Yahoo 7 News South Australia’s nuclear royal commission has completed its final report, paving the way for a decision on a controversial nuclear dump proposal. Royal Commissioner Kevin Scarce will on Friday deliver the report to Governor Hieu Van Le, who will then hand it over to the state government.
The report’s recommendations will be made public on Monday afternoon once Mr Scarce has briefed state cabinet.
It is expected the report will recommend SA hosts the world’s high-level nuclear waste, in line with tentative findings released in February. The government will consult with the public and is not expected to decide whether SA should become more involved in the nuclear fuel cycle until year’s end.
Environmentalists have promised to campaign strongly against a nuclear dump.
“There is a massive difference between a royal commission and South Australia’s permission,” the Conservation Council SA said. “The South Australian community must now be given a genuine opportunity to have their say, with enough time to fully consider the ‘forever’ nature of their decision, and ultimately, to say ‘no’ if they don’t want a global nuclear waste dump in SA.”……
The royal commission found in its interim report that a high-level dump could generate more than $257 billion in revenue over its 120-year lifespan.
Anti-nuclear campaigners have argued the findings were based on dubious economics and a dump could have massive costs for the state.
The commission heard from 132 expert witnesses, including 41 from overseas, and received 170 direct responses to its tentative findings. https://au.news.yahoo.com/sa/a/31531286/sa-nuclear-royal-commission-report-due/
Misleading words like “harmless’ used to deceive us on nuclear wastes
A growing band of critics have looked beyond the adjectives and enthusiasm [from the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission] and presented compelling critiques of the international dump plan.
Comment: ‘Harmless’? The dangerous language around nuclear waste http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/05/06/comment-harmless-dangerous-language-around-nuclear-waste Terms like ‘harmless’ waste are misleading and downplay the seriousness of the problem with nuclear waste, writes Dave Sweeney.
The striking thing about radioactive waste is that it never goes away. Right now decisions and plans around managing this zombie waste are out of the shadows and back in the public eye.
Last week federal Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg named a possible site for a national radioactive waste facility in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges region – home of the Adnyamathanha people. Meanwhile, the South Australia Royal Commission process is exploring the state hosting between 15-30 per cent of the world’s high level radioactive waste.
The two are separate processes but both clearly share common themes of waste and place – and both require serious public scrutiny. The national plan is for a co-located facility for the permanent burial of low level waste and the above ground storage of higher level waste pending a future management decision in one to three hundred years. So we are making decisions here that would directly impact generations well beyond our own.
It’s important to name and dispel some of the myths surrounding this plan, including that it is only low level or ‘harmless’ waste constituting little more than what Minister Frydenberg has described as ‘gloves and goggles’. This misleading language downplays the seriousness of the problem. Continue reading
Choice of nuclear dump site – “appalling” disrespect to Aboriginal culture
It’s a desecration”: Traditional owner slams SA nuclear dump plan, InDaily,Bension Siebert, 29 Apr 16 @Bension1
Adnyamathanha traditional owner Regina McKenzie told InDaily Barndioota Station, near Wilpena Pound, was home to spiritually and architecturally significant sacred burial sites and story lines.
McKenzie, also a lease holder living next to the station, said placing a nuclear waste dump on the site would amount to a “desecration”.
She said the plan showed “appalling” disrespect to Aboriginal culture and the Government “should be ashamed”. It’s a desecration; it’s a desecration of our belief system,” she said. She said the Adnyamathanha people wanted to preserve the story lines within the land “not only for our children but for non-Aboriginal people to come in and learn about our culture”.
“Imagine if somebody approached the Vatican and told them they wanted to put a nuclear dump [there]?”…….
Conservation Council SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins said a nuclear waste dump on the site would damage South Australia’s tourism brand.
He said it “puts at risk the image of one of the state’s tourism icons: the Flinders Ranges” and was not “an economic or employment solution for SA” because it would create “a maximum of just six ongoing jobs”. “Nuclear waste has an enormous power to divide and fracture communities.”http://indaily.com.au/business/2016/04/29/traditional-owner-slams-sa-nuclear-dump-plan/
National radioactive waste search: one site, limited vision
29 April 2016 Federal Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg’s decision to short-list a single site in SA’s Flinders Ranges as a possible home for Australia’s radioactive waste is disturbingly familiar to past failed federal approaches, the Australian Conservation Foundation said.
Minister Frydenberg has declared the Barndioota region, 45 kilometres west of Hawker, as the only one of six possible sites to progress to the next stage of assessment.
The government maintains says this does not mean the final facility siting decision has been made and broad community support is needed for the project to proceed.
“None of the six sites that were under consideration satisfied the basic pre-condition of community consent, so to progress with only one is a mystery and a mistake”, said ACF campaigner Dave Sweeney.
“One horse races generally and understandably attract the steward’s attention”.
“Adjacent Aboriginal landholders, a key Elders’ group and the Native Title representative body, the Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association, have all expressed concern and opposition in submissions, correspondence, public forums and the media.
“The government’s new process flowed from the failure of the government’s old process,” Dave Sweeney said. “Two years on, it looks like little has been learned.”
Meanwhile, the SA nuclear industry Royal Commission is set to open the door to active consideration of the state hosting around 15 per cent of the world’s high level radioactive waste. The inquiry is due to issue its final report next week.
“The government has said that the Flinders Ranges waste plan is not a done not a deal despite it being the only deal on the table,” Dave Sweeney said.
“We urge the government to give effect to its oft repeated commitments to community consent, to the right of the affected community to say no and to a genuine and robust process. ACF will work alongside affected community members to hold the government accountable in the coming assessment and engagement period.”
Turnbull’s climate policy deceptions – cut climate funds, then announce new policies
Tricky Turnbull’s climate strategy: When less is more!, Independent Australia Giles Parkinson 28 April 2016, Turnbull promises to be trickier than Howard as he tries to put one over the public with his “less is more” climate strategy! RenewEconomy‘s Giles Parkinson does his own FactCheck.
THE COALITION government under Malcolm Turnbull has a rapidly evolving strategy on climate change and clean energy — announce new jobs and investments, but only after cutting even more jobs and investments.
Those were the allegations levelled at the Turnbull government on Tuesday after the CSIRO announced a new climate change research centre in what appears to be a patch-up job by innovation minister Christopher Pyne and environment minister Greg Hunt, and Hunt’s announcement of an “extra” $50 million for the Great Barrier Reef.
The CSIRO cuts are particularly galling for the science community. A new division to be based in Hobart, combining with elements of the Bureau of Meteorology, will employ 40 climate scientists. But CSIRO chief Larry Marshall, intent on converting the CSIRO from focusing on the public good to revenue opportunities with business, says 75 jobs will still be lost from the climate division, albeit down from 110.
CSIRO climate scientists dismiss this as a “con” job. Professor Dave Griggs, a former director of Monash Sustainability Institute at Monash University said it was like “trying to put a sticking plaster over a gaping wound.”
Similarly, Hunt on Tuesday announced $50 million of “new” funding for the Great Barrier Reef, which the government has finally realised is under grave threat following the worst bleaching event on record, which has touched more than 90 per cent of the reef.
The Greens said: Not so fast, arguing that the funds simply replace monies cut in the past two years — $40 million from the Reef Water Quality Program in 2014, and $10 million from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
The recycled funding follows a similar pattern on clean energy. Hunt has used the proposed start of construction on a wind farm in northern NSW as proof that the government has brought clarity and stability to the industry. Instead, the Coalition’s policies have brought the industry to a standstill.
And last month, when the Turnbull government announced the creation of a “new” Clean Energy Innovation Fund, it did so only after shifting funds already allocated to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and announcing it would seek to rescind the $1.3 billion budget legislated for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
On climate, numbers are juggled in a different way. Hunt insists that Australia is on track to deliver its Kyoto target for 2020, which is true, because it is largely a book-keeping exercise borne out of a highly favourable agreement for Australia reached a decade ago.
The climate target that really matters – the one signed in New York last Friday under the Paris agreement – is more problematic. Australia’s target is well short of what is considered its fair share by every assessment bar the Coalition’s, which continues to rely on a “per capita” reduction calculation that places Australia at the bottom of the world ladder, along with the oil-guzzling Saudis.
Australia’s own data actually shows an increase in emissions in the coming decade, bar some as-yet unannounced policy measure. And while the Coalition may be relying on another fortunate piece of accounting, the Paris deal calls for the “decarbonisation” of the global economy. That means replacing fossil fuels with clean energy………
the Australian economy, which continues to focus on commodities and to prostrate itself at the feet of the fossil fuel industry, with a clouded future.
The government, you would hope, is smart enough to see what is coming. It just doesn’t have the fortitude to share that view with the public, or tell the hard right ideologues to stop kidding themselves.https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/tricky-turnbulls-climate-strategy-when-less-is-more,8929
Canberra at the forefront in the new renewable energy era
Canberra at the centre of a renewable energy superpower, Canberra Times, 23 Apr 16 A climate change think-tank’s report says Australia is on the forefront of a renewable energy era and forecasts the nation to become an economic superpower if it capitalises on its natural energy sources.
Beyond Zero Emission CEO Stephen Bygrave said the global economy will be changing over the next few decades as the world transitions to an energy sector less reliant on fossil fuel energies……..
The ACT Environment and Climate Change Minister Simon Corbell said the capital’s approach to renewable energy was proof the decarbonisation transition was possible.
“The ACT’s success in fast approaching our own 90 per cent renewable energy target shows a 100 per cent renewable energy target could be entirely achievable.”
The territory government estimates there will be more than $400 million in local investment benefits in renewable energy over the next 20 years and more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure development.
“As an early adopter of renewable energy skills and technology, Canberra is well positioned to be at the forefront of Australia’s transition to renewable energy,” said Mr Corbell. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-at-the-centre-of-a-renewable-energy-superpower-20160422-god1w9.html
Australia not invited to high level climate group in New York
Australia has sought ongoing involvement in the coalition, and had reached out to the countries involved through diplomatic channels, but had so far been rebuffed.
“It is difficult to be in a high ambition coalition if you are a low ambition country.”
Australia snubbed by ‘high-ambition’ group at climate talks in New York, The Age, April 22, 2016 Tom Arup, Adam Morton
But that was Australia’s fate overnight when it was excluded by a group of countries describing itself as the “high ambition coalition” on climate change, reflecting ongoing wariness about our commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The apparent snub came as up to 170 countries gathered at the United Nations in New York to formally sign the Paris climate deal reached last December.
The high ambition coalition – including heavy-hitters such as the US, Canada, Germany and Brazil – came together in Paris in a bid to bolster the strength of a global climate agreement and head-off moves by countries such as India and Saudi Arabia to water down parts of the deal. Continue reading
The Paris Agreement signing ceremony at a glance
The Paris Agreement signing ceremony at a glance https://theconversation.com/the-paris-agreement-signing-ceremony-at-a-glance-58221 [good charts etc]
April 22, 2016 Leaders and diplomats from more than 160 countries are gathering at the United Nations’ New York headquarters on April 22 to sign the Paris Agreement – the landmark climate deal hammered out at the culmination of last year’s talks.
The ceremony marks the start of a year-long opportunity for countries to sign the agreement, although most of the world will sign on the opening day. But the process doesn’t end there – nations will still need to ratify the treaty domestically. Only when at least 55 countries, accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse emissions, have done so will the Paris deal become international law.
Coral bleaching: Taskforce says 93 per cent of Great Barrier Reef affected
April 20, 2016. FEDERAL Environment Minister Greg Hunt held an urgent phone hook-up with Palaszczuk Government ministers last night to discuss revelations that more than 90 per cent of the iconic Great Barrier Reef has been affected by coral bleaching. …
Queensland’s Environment Minister Steven Miles yesterday called on Mr Hunt to convene an urgent meeting of the country’s environment ministers in Cairns in a bid to address the latest shocking survey. He said the Commonwealth needed to form a climate policy that would help tackle the problem.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/coral-bleaching-taskforce-says-93-per-cent-of-great-barrier-reef-affected/news-story/c119f1d46c4da20f56757a0b652b4f9a
Climate Change and Children – United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF’s increasing involvement in climate change. Other UN groups have worked on this for decades, but the connection with children is a new approach.
Thanks to all the excellent work by Country Offices, #ClimateChain has gathered hundreds of powerful images of children standing boldly in front of the environment they want to protect. #ClimateChain was launched on World Water Day; that week, UNICEF received 236 million potential impressions on social media.
We now leverage this effort for this week’s historic signing of the Paris Climate Agreement at the UN. On Friday, 22 April, world leaders are to convene at the General Assembly Hall to sign the environmental accord – a record 197 countries pledging their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and start adapting for the effects of climate change.
UNICEF is working to make sure children are front and center of this occasion.
As the leaders gather, they will be greeted by children forming a live Climate Chain, with screens showing images of children around the world forming the Climate Chain.
Getrude Clement, a UNICEF Digital Youth Mapper, will speak during the opening ceremony, sharing her experience in Tanzania and urging the leaders to uphold their commitments.
After the final speaker, 197 children will flood the aisles of the GA Hall in a key moment to make a powerful statement about climate action. Wearing T-shirts which say “your promise, our future,” the children will reach their arms out in a Climate Chain, as images of children from around the world in a virtual chain are also shown on screens.
We invite you to post your photos and join the Climate Chain this week, before Friday.
- Join Climate Chain: https://blogs.unicef.org/blog/stand-with-us-join-the-climatechain/
- Facts about children and climate change: https://blogs.unicef.org/blog/5-facts-on-water-and-climate-change/ and https://blogs.unicef.org/blog/why-climate-change-matters-for-children/
- More on the Paris Agreement:http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2016/04/parisagreementsingatures/
- UNICEF’s latest Report on Climate Change: Unless We Act Now: The Impact of Climate Change on Childrenhttp://www.unicef.org/publications/index_86337.html
Queensland’s solar battery deal a ‘win-win’
A VOLUNTARY “battery buyout” deal for solar-equipped households on the most generous feed-in tariff is being considered by the Palaszczuk Government… (subscribers only)
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/states-solar-households-in-line-for-power-storage-rebate/news-story/b5de87047bd7808b6ed8009fdd1921b6
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 