Critical scrutiny on Australia’s stance on nuclear weapons
If deterrence has failed and Australia is hit by the bomb, it would not profit Australia for the Earth to be destroyed with US retaliatory strikes on the attacker that trigger an all-out nuclear war. This would not be a rational strategy of defence but an irrational act of revenge initiating an all-consuming nuclear Armageddon.
The realistic agenda Australia favours, through practical steps in collaboration with those with the bomb, has fallen far behind the urgency and gravity of the very real threats posed by these most indiscriminately inhumane weapons ever invented. The humanitarian pledge is a critical step to their elimination, not an exercise in futility. The growing global support for it reflects, not naïveté by its proponents, but frustration with the glacial efforts of the nuclear-armed states in containing, minimising, reducing and eliminating nuclear risks that pose intolerable threats to all of us
Confidential cables, Australia, and nuclear weapons, Asia and Pacific Policy Society Policy Forum, October 2015 What the Australian cables reveal Ramesh Thakur Australia may be saying the same thing in public as it is behind the scenes, but that doesn’t mean its stance on nuclear weapons can withstand critical scrutiny, Ramesh Thakur writes.
Using the Freedom of Information law, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has obtained a tranche of confidential cables between Canberra and various Australian diplomatic missions around the world, regarding the recent nuclear weapons’ humanitarian consequences movement. The cables contain no surprise and confirm what is broadly known about Australia’s approach. They underline some positive features of Australian foreign policy but also confirm the limitations inherent to bureaucracies in trying to find imaginative solutions to intractable problems.
The cables show Australia is a responsible state actor that takes international commitments seriously………
That said, neither of the two main grounds for Australia’s opposition withstand critical scrutiny. Continue reading
Labor Party to launch a managed, predictable energy transition process
Labor’s plan to modernise energy sector, Yahoo News 6 Oct 15 Federal Labor will develop a plan to modernise Australia’s electricity sector that will include training for employees out of work due to a boost in renewable energy.
The opposition’s electricity modernisation plan will focus on slashing carbon pollution while trying to minimise costs for business and consumers. It would also aim to help local communities adapt to changes in key industries.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will announce the plan in a speech to the All-Energy Council, while reconfirming Labor’s focus on renewables as a source of economic growth.
“Because renewable energy is at the heart of our view of the jobs, industries and environment of the next century,” he will tell the council in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Labor recently announced it wanted 50 per cent of Australia’s energy to come from renewables by 2030 and has committed to introducing an emissions trading scheme to curb carbon pollution.
Mr Shorten said the goal was a managed, predictable transition process……… Continue reading
University of NSW students of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy
University of NSW students reveal a tale of two career paths: coal mining and renewable energy October 5, 2015 Peter Hannam Environment Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald “………Engineering students in UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy, meanwhile, have a different view on fossil fuels and careers.
“Coal does have a future,” said Oscar Wilkie, a soon-to-be bachelor’s degree graduate in solar energy engineering who will take up a $70,000-a-year post with Boston Consulting Group. “It’s not really a war, but in the long term, it’s going to diminish.”
Mr Wilkie wants to advance the integration of large-scale solar energy that he sees is inevitable as it becomes cheaper, and nations try to curb carbon emissions: “The next big challenge is: how are we going to finance this?”………
Years of uncertainty over Australia’s 2020 renewable energy targets – cut almost one-fifth in June by the Abbott government – has led to new investment in large clean energy projects all but drying up.
International trends have also been in flux. While China’s solar panel output has leapt, profit margins remain very thin. Investment in new techniques – which can translate into high-end design and research jobs in Australia – has been restrained since the global financial crisis, one UNSW scientist said………
For Jack Blackwell, who will move to Canberra early next year after he receives his Renewable Energy Engineering degree, says his skills will be needed as economies everywhere need to use all resources more wisely.
“Building energy efficiency – and roof-top solar [which] is taking off hugely – is steadily becoming more important in Australia, in step with the trends around the world,” Mr Blackwell said.
Students in the clean energy field see first-hand how fast the industry is changing.
“Lecturers are constantly updating the technology,” he said “There’s really good research going on that’s put straight into our courses.”………http://www.smh.com.au/environment/university-of-nsw-students-reveal-a-tale-of-two-career-paths-coal-mining-and-renewable-energy-20150909-gjie5i.html
Flinders Uni still might host Bjorn Lomborg, who now undemines renewable energy
Renewables won’t fix climate – Lomborg
CONTROVERSIAL scientist Bjorn Lomborg has defended the idea of a Climate Consensus Centre at an Adelaide university, saying climate change is real but renewables are not the answer.
FLINDERS University may host Dr Lomborg’s controversial $4 million taxpayer-funded centre despite protests from students and staff who argue it will hurt Australia’s standing in the academic world.
Background information about Bjorn Lomborg is available here: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Bjorn_Lomborg and here: http://desmogblog.com/bjorn-lomborg)
Turnbull govt might appoint an adviser even worse than Maurice Newman
Scientist who likened wind industry to Hitler floated as potential Turnbull government adviser, The Age, October 1, 2015 Nicole Hasham Environment and immigration correspondent An expert who has likened the wind industry’s tactics to Hitler and claims the Australian Medical Association’s support for wind power is “corrupt” is among those that Senate crossbenchers want appointed as government advisers on wind power.
The office of Environment Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed he still intends to appoint a scientific committee to advise on the alleged impact of wind turbines on human health, despite the government’s new embrace of renewable energy under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The government will also soon announce who will fill the role of national wind farm commissioner to investigate complaints about wind turbines, despite refusing to appoint a full-time disability commissioner.
The government struck a deal with crossbench senators in June to address “community concerns about wind farms”, including establishing the scientific committee and consulting anti-wind senators when choosing its members.
Senator David Leyonhjelm has suggested a number of candidates including Bruce Rapley, a New Zealand-based scientific consultant who strongly believes wind turbines negatively affect human health.
Dr Rapley’s position is at odds with findings by the National Health and Medical Research Council that there is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause health problems.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry on wind farms, Dr Rapley said the AMA’s support for the industry was “yet one more example of how corrupt the system has become”………
Records set to wilt as El Nino delivers heatwaves, bushfires
A sizzling summer of heatwaves, bushfires, droughts and thunderstorms is forecast for Australia. ... (subscribers only)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/records-set-to-wilt-as-el-nino-delivers-heatwaves-bushfires/story-e6frg8y6-1227551342563
Glencore may pull out, leaving toxic waste problem to tax-payers
Environment groups fear Glencore won’t clean up toxic waste rock at NT mine, ABC Radio PM MARK COLVIN: Environment groups fear the floundering resources giant Glencore may avoid its responsibility to clean up toxic waste rock from its Northern Territory mine. Last month the Territory Chief Minister threatened to shut down the McArthur River mine, if Glencore didn’t increase its rehabilitation bond.
The deadline for that commitment expires tomorrow. Felicity James reports.
FELICITY JAMES: The McArthur River zinc mine sits near the remote community of Borroloola in the Northern Territory’s Gulf region.
The Glencore mine has faced ongoing protests from Indigenous residents and environment groups about toxic waste rock at the site and an insufficient bond for the clean-up.
Senior Borroloola resident Jack Green says news of Glencore’s financial woes is increasing anxiety in the community……..http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4322752.htm
Uranium sales to India: an issue for Turnbull govt to resolve
Australia’s New PM: Uranium Sale Will Be Litmus Test Of India Policy – AnalysisBy South Asia Monitor Tuesday, September 29th, 2015, By Rekha Bhattacharjee*While Australia’s Prime Minister changed in a dramatic leadership spat less than two weeks ago, it is believed that the elevation of Malcolm Turnbull as the 29th PM of Australia would not adversely impact the bilateral relationship between India and Australia……..
From the Indian perspective, Turnbull’s India policy would become apparent in the not too distant future when he makes a decision on the uranium sale to the power-hungry South Asian country. A joint parliamentary standing committee on treaties had recently raised objections over the uranium sale to India. …. http://www.eurasiareview.com/29092015-australias-new-pm-uranium-sale-will-be-litmus-test-of-india-policy-analysis/
Australia’s govt MIGHT count wind power as an ’emerging technology’ to be supported
A Note of Warming. Will Greg Hunt count wind power as an ’emerging technology’. Or is that phrase solely code for new nuclear?
Environment Minister Greg Hunt opens the door to government wind power investment http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/environment-minister-greg-hunt-opens-the-door-to-government-wind-power-investment-20150929-gjx2q4.html September 29, 2015 Nicole Hasham Environment and immigration correspondent Environment Minister Greg Hunt says the federal government’s “green bank” may be allowed to invest in new wind farm technology, in another sign the Coalition’s war on renewable energy is winding down.
Speaking on ABC radio on Tuesday, Mr Hunt said “emerging” wind power such as new turbines or offshore wind farms may be eligible for funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Continue reading
PM Turnbull now contradicting himself on climate change policy
your own truths won’t go away and as it stands this stop-gap policy will come badly unstuck
The inconvenient truth about Direct Action comes from Turnbull himself, Guardian, 25 Sep 15 Lenore Taylor Malcolm Turnbull is now defending the policy he criticised, but his truths about climate change won’t go away and this stop-gap scheme will come badly unstuck ou asked for this Malcolm, standing in the wind outside the war memorial this week. You said journalists had “to hold up the truth to power”. But in the case of your climate policy you’ve made our job easy. You’ve said so much on the subject that for the most part we can hold up your own truth to yourself.
Coalition’s climate policy ‘best and most efficient’ in the world, says Greg Hunt
This mirror reflecting back your own past verities could become a bit of a theme in your prime ministership, with all that you’ve said and all the things that now constrain you. Or maybe it won’t – it’s still too early to say.
But since you’ve asked for them, here are some of your own truths about climate change.
Lately you’ve claimed the $2.5bn emissions reduction fund (ERF) – part of the Direct Action climate policy you once ridiculed but have now inherited – has been “very successful” and that “all of the advice we have suggests that the government’s policies will achieve the reductions … that we’re taking to the Paris conference of the parties.”
On Friday (as China – yes, China – announced a start date for its national emissions trading scheme) your environment minister Greg Hunt went so far as to say ours is the “best and most efficient scheme in the world”.
But we all know that’s not true. Not as it stands. And we know you know it because you’ve stuck a pin in its problems yourself. Continue reading
Climate CHange, China, and Malcolm Turnbull
Barack Obama welcomes China’s Xi Jinping to the White House ahead of joint presidential statement meant to boost prospects for a global climate change pact.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-25/china-to-announce-2017-launch-of-carbon-market-us-officials-say/6804344 China ETS won’t change plans
Greg Hunt has declared the government will retain its Direct Action climate change program.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/chinas-move-to-ets-wont-change-our-direct-action-plan-greg-hunt/story-e6frg6xf-1227544337322
Malcolm Turnbull, it seems, cannot escape the emissions trading scheme bogey. This time, it comes in the form of China’s plan – which had been foreshadowed but is now confirmed – to introduce a national ETS.
http://theconversation.com/malcolm-turnbull-and-his-emissions-trading-scheme-shadow-48198
Female scientists from around the world will voyage to Antarctica to turn up the heat on global warming.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/homeward-bound-trip-to-take-78-female-leaders-in-science-to-antarctica-20150924-gjuhx9.html
Many tropical Pacific island nations are struggling to adapt to gradual sea level rise stemming from warming oceans and melting ice caps.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/uoha-eps092215.php
David Suzuki on Tony Abbott, solar panels and his book
Environmental activist David Suzuki on Tony Abbott, solar panels and his book, Guardian, Oliver Milman, 24 Sept 15 The Canadian environmental activist, who is in Australia next March for WOMADelaide’s Planet Talks series, speaks to Oliver Milman Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki, who was the subject of a solo Q&A broadcast in 2013, is back in Australia in March to take part in WOMADelaide’s Planet Talks series. Suzuki, a vocal advocate for action on climate change, spoke to Guardian Australia about Tony Abbott, the upcoming Paris climate talks and his new book.
What did you make of Australia’s latest change of prime minister?
I had no idea this was going to happen. I thought ‘my God, I’m not a religious man but you’ve answered my prayers.’ I know Malcolm Turnbull is not a climate denier, so that’s a step up, our prime minister [Stephen Harper] is a denier. It all depends on why Tony Abbott was booted out. Is his party committed to action on climate change?……..
So how is Australia doing?
When you’ve got nine out of 10 solar panels made in China, you have to ask what the hell is wrong with Australia, you’ve got the solar resource, you are crazy. Canadians would kill for that sunshine, you have the CSIRO, some of the top scientists in the world and you’re not taking solar seriously, what’s wrong with you?
You have Gina Rinehart, the big coal magnate, look at stuff she says! How does it get published? Continue reading
CAMECO seeks EPA approvals on same day as Traditional Owners mourn the passing of treasured community member.
Today as CAMECO release the Public Environment Review (PER) for the proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine, the community mourns the passing of the former Station owner.
Yeelirrie station, the site of CAMECO’s proposed uranium mine is a significant place for both the white pastoral history and local Aboriginal people. Many of the local Yeelirrie traditional owners have strong and positive memories of living on country and working along side the pastoral lease holders at Yeelirrie before the station was taken over by the mining industry.
It has saddened local Traditional owners today to learn of CAMECO’s proposal to mine uranium at Yeelirrie has gone to the EPA, on a day that holds such great sorrow for the community.
Kado Muir, Traditional Owner from Yeelirrie said: “It is a sad day today as Yeelirrie Traditional owners mourn the passing of the late Mrs Folvig a former owner of Yeelirrie station and much loved member of the early black and white pastoral community.”
“Community members are upset to hear the news of this company seeking to destroy our country while dealing with the sadness within our community. We don’t have anymore to say at this time.”
Vicky McCabe, a local Traditional owner said: “Growing up you would hear all the great stories from our elders of life at Yeelirrie station and the good relations between the white lease holders and our mob. Sadly since the mining industry has gotten hold of the land we are excluded from the country and our country is being destroyed, where once it was enjoyed and cared for.”
“Our opposition to the mine is strong and with the help of our friends from Australia and overseas we are making a stand for country, culture and a uranium free world. there is no way that Cameco will be digging up our country.”
Marcus Atkinson, spokesperson for ANAWA said: “We have this week just finished the 5th year of walking through the area around Yeelirrie. Over these 5 years hundreds of people have joined the Walkatjurra Walkabout from around the Country and the world. Cameco should brace themselves for the massive opposition that will never allow this uranium mine to happen. ”
For comment : Kado Muir: 0477184957. Vicky Mccabe: 0473196023. Marcus Atkinson: 0400505765
Will Greg Hunt continue to kow tow to the fossil fuel lobby?
No more excuses: Heat is now on Hunt http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/no-more-excuses-heat-is-now-on-hunt-77378 By Giles Parkinson on 22 September 2015 For the past two years, Greg Hunt has protested that he has been doing the best he can possibly do under the circumstances – being an environment minister in a government that downplays climate change, and is actively opposed to wind energy.
Hunt insists that he has been pushing for ambitious and effective policies as much as he can, and as much as he dared in a government dominated by the far right, and its ideological war against green policies. Did anyone understand the difficulties involved? But if Hunt craved to be portrayed as a beacon of light in a sea of smog, he did not get a lot of sympathy from those involved in the sector.
Part of that was due to his own choice of rhetoric: in an attempt to appease and impress, or just to get along, Hunt on occasions tried to out-do even the extreme right on the costs of renewables and climate action.
That has now changed, the conservative forces that stood in his way appear to have been swept aside by the sudden rise of Malcolm Turnbull and his declaration that his government will be one looking to the future, not the past.
So, the next phase can be seen in two ways: a test of Hunt’s willingness and ability to introduce long-lasting and effective climate change policies, presumably with the indulgence and sponsorship of his new leader; and a test of the remaining power of the hard-line conservatives. Continue reading
Women organising to be leaders in climate chnage action
Women turn up heat on climate: Project aims to put females in leadership positions on issue A TASMANIAN woman is enlisting some great names in science to educate the world about climate change.
Jess Melbourne-Thomas, a marine ecologist at the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre at the University of Tasmania, has co-founded the Homeward Bound Project with leadership expert Fabian Dattner to elevate the role of women in the fight against climate change.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/women-turn-up-heat-on-climate-project-aims-to-put-females-in-leadership-positions-on-issue/story-fnj4f7k1-1227537687187
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 