New Australian government keen to sell uranium to India
Australia says no change on Uranium issue, keen to seal N pact Business Standard, 16 Sept 13, Australia today said the next round of talks with India on civil nuclear cooperation were expected to be held by year-end even as it assured that previous government’s decision to supply uranium will not be reversed by its new dispensation.
Noting that the last two rounds of talks to firm up a safeguard agreement for sale of uranium held earlier this year had gone “very well and it was positive and constructive from both sides”, Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling said the intension was towards early conclusion of the pact.
“We feel we have made good progress (on the civil nuclear pact). But we have not put a time-frame for the negotiations to conclude because sometimes even the straight-looking issues become complex,” he told reporters here.
“The intension of both the sides is to try and finish the safeguard agreement as fast as possible,” he said….http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/australia-says-no-change-on-uranium-issue-keen-to-seal-n-pact-113091600875_1.html
AUDIO: Climate Change Minister Greg Hunt determined to axe Clean Energy Funding
Coalition confirms plans to axe clean energy bank despite pleas to reconsider By science & technology reporter Jake Sturmer 11 Sep 2013, The head of Australia’s $10 billion green bank is urging the incoming government to reconsider plans to axe it.
But it appears the appeals will be in vain, with the likely new climate change minister Greg Hunt confirming to the ABC that the Coalition still intends to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-11/coalition-confirms-plans-to-axe-clean-energy-bank-despite-pleas/4952096
“I have a dream, too” – for Aboriginal self-determination
I have a dream too, of basic human right August 31, 2013 Sol Bellear http://www.smh.com.au/comment/i-have-a-dream-too-of-basic-human-rights-20130830-2sw3r.html#ixzz2dZis35mC “…..King’s speech inspired my people. And yes, King’s speech shone an international light on the appalling treatment of Aboriginal Australians. But while King was arguing for basic civil rights, in Australia we were still fighting for basic human rights, a fight that continues today.
”I have a dream” was delivered in 1963, when Aborigines were still classed as ”flora and fauna”. It would take another half a decade before our nation voted to count Aborigines in the census, and afford us citizen status.
But the great promise that the referendum held forth – justice and equality before the law – has never fully materialised.
I’m not suggesting there haven’t been some gains in Australia. The activism of the 1970s and ’80s, strengthened by the determination of men such as King and women such as Rosa Parks, brought us modest land rights.
In NSW, there exists a land rights system that costs the taxpayer nothing, and which is leading economic development in many metropolitan and regional Aboriginal communities. The NSW system is not perfect – indeed it has returned to Aboriginal people less than one-tenth of 1 per cent of the total NSW land mass – but, according to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya, it is the best land rights legislation on Earth……
Why, 50 years after King’s speech, does the most basic human right – self-determination – still elude my people? Why, today, do we seem further away from this dream than ever before?
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott recently promised to appoint a national indigenous council if he is elected to office. Hand-picking our leaders to
get the advice you want to hear didn’t work in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. It won’t work now. It’s as far from self-determination as you can get……..
Fifty years on, I dream of a day when Australians will face up honestly to the failures of their past, regardless of the kindness of their intent. I dream of a day when non-Aboriginal Australians demand not a dream about a future for my people, but a simple plan to restore our basic human rights.
Most of all, I dream of the day when Aboriginal Australians will be judged not on the colour of our skin, but on the strength of our self-determination. http://www.smh.com.au/comment/i-have-a-dream-too-of-basic-human-rights-20130830-2sw3r.html#ixzz2dZjVOnIc
Yes, Virginia, renewables could power Australia – Australian Energy Market Operator
An Australia Powered By Renewables Feasible – AEMO http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php? 27 Aug 13, main_page=news_article&article_id=3909 A recently released study by the Australian Energy Market Operator finds it is likely to be technically feasible for the National Electricity Market (NEM) to be ‘fuelled entirely by renewable resources’ in 2030.
The study notes that our sunburnt country has some of the world’s best wind resources and the highest level of average solar radiation per square metre of any continent.
It looks at two scenarios with varying degrees of transformation and demand. The study finds that retail prices for electricity would rise from current levels by around 6.6 to 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) for Scenario 1, and 8 to 8.5c/kWh for Scenario 2.
Commenting on the study, University of New South Wales research associate Jenny Riesz told Fairfax Media, “We’re exposed to rising carbon prices, we’re exposed to rising gas prices. What this is saying is, that for around the same price you can build 100 per cent renewable energy and completely protect yourselves from all those risks.”
The study suggests that such a system would require 2,400 to 5,000 square kilometres of land, but points out that renewables tend to have a small footprint in the areas they occupy, “leaving much of the surrounding land available for agriculture and other uses”.
In its modelling, it shows up to 23 terawatt-hours being produced by rooftop solar panel systems in 2030 and up to 35 terrawatt-hours in 2050. How much participation this translates to is unclear – i.e. the percentage of suitable rooftops for solar being utilised for power generation. Full utilisation could perhaps have a significant impact on land usage requirements stated and associated infrastructure required to be built.
The study points out any figures quoted should be considered bearing in mind the unpredictable nature of social, economic and political changes that may occur over the coming decades.
The “100 per cent renewables study: community summary” can be viewed in full here.
Tasmanians rush for solar energy before Government cuts feed-in tariff
Mr Gilding said anyone who missed the deadline or had missing details would receive only 8c a kWh for feed-in.
He said the group had not lobbied for an extension but said it would be good idea.
Solar firms swamped http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/08/27/386434_tasmania-news.html NICK CLARK | August 27, 2013 SOLAR businesses are battling to beat a Government deadline for taking orders for installation of solar equipment.
TasSolar managing director Nick Walker said he had 30 to 40 potential clients to see before Friday’s cutoff.
“I’m not going to get to everyone because you’ve got to talk to them, work out what to fit and do things properly,” Mr Walker said.
In an announcement about feed-in tariffs on August 18, Energy Minister Bryan Green set down the cut-off date for people who wanted to achieve the 1:1 feed-in tariff.
The 28c a kWh feed-in tariff will apply until December 2018 — but only for those existing owners or those who sign a contract and submit an application to Aurora before close of business on Friday.
I Want Energy managing director Rob Manson said his firm had never been so busy. Continue reading
Traditional Aboriginal landowners in court today, to fight nuclear waste dump
Court details: Directions hearing from 10.15am Monday 26 August 2013,
Court 6A, Level 6, Federal Court, Williams St, Melbourne
For context or comment on the Muckaty issue:
Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear Initiative, on 0429 900 774, Dave Sweeney, ACF, on 0408 317 812
Please note: Muckaty Traditional Owners will be available in Tennant Creek for phone or broadcast quality video interviews after the Federal Court hearing.
On Tuesday night 27 August ‘Manuwangku, Under the Nuclear Cloud’ photographic exhibition is opening in Tennant Creek as part of the Desert Harmony festival. Muckaty Traditional Owners are dancing to open the event and it will be webcast. Please follow link below to the program page.http://www.desertharmonyfestival.com/#!muckaty-exhibition/ct8
Politicians urged to halt controversial Muckaty radioactive waste dump plan
26 Aug 13, Traditional Owners taking legal action against a proposed national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory have called on all political parties to halt the plan until the Federal Court has considered the case.
The call comes ahead of a directions hearing today in Melbourne where an expert anthropological report has been filed by law firm Maurice Blackburn which is representing the Traditional Owners.
Key issues of ownership, consultation and consent are now under the spotlight as Aboriginal opponents of the dump plan seek to get the Muckaty site nomination declared invalid.
Traditional Owners and national environment groups are urging all political parties to make a clear commitment not to advance the dump plan during the Court process.
“The Muckaty dump plan is flawed and failing,” said Beyond Nuclear Initiative convenor Natalie Wasley. “The Federal Court case offers a chance to review this poorly conceived plan and given recent comments from former PM Bob Hawke about Australia hosting the world’s nuclear waste there is an urgent need to do things differently and better”.
There is a growing civil society call for an independent National Commission to advance responsible radioactive waste management in Australia – an approach that has been widely used internationally. “Instead of a divisive push for an increasingly discredited dump we need an open and evidence based process to identify the best way to manage some of Australia’s worst wastes,” said Sweeney.
Fukushima crisis should spark re-invigoration of Australia’s anti nuclear movement
Nuclear Free Australia, Hillel Freedman nuclearfreeaus@optusnet.com.au 26 Aug 13,
Election. malection correction. Absolute waste of time. While everyone is involved in bitter feuding that may land Abbott in total control of this country Fukushima Daachi pours a staggering and unheard of amount of nuclear waste into the Pacific ocean. At the moment it looks like people shouldnt eat fish for maybe the next 1000 years. I think that we need to incubate a re invigoration of the long since asleep Australian anti nuclear movement.
Can anyone who is interested in any way please let me know. I say this with the utmost seriousness. Armageddon beckons if any of the 1300 fuel rods that have to be manually removed launch into a nuclear chain reaction. Chernobyl released only 3% of its radioactivity into the atmosphere. This is looking much worse and is totally out of control. We need to demand an international relief mission to take over the rescue, and an immediate cessation of all Australian Uranium Mining and Export.
There is a Japanese Consulate in Melbourne. Please let me know if you can help out in any way at all
Uranium moratorium needed as Fukushima falls apart
Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, spokesperson on nuclear issues, 23 August 2013 More than two years after the Fukushima disaster began, highly radioactive water from one of the 1060 tanks used to store it has begun to fall apart.
“The Australian-fuelled Fukushima catastrophe continues with TEPCO operators calling for international assistance to cope with the most recent leak, which they describe as a ‘serious incident’,” said Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.
“Cesium 137, Strontium 90 and other radioactive poison is spewing into the Pacific Ocean every day.
“When I visited the Fukushima last year I met some of the 160,000 people who continue to be stranded because their homes and their farms are now contamination zones.
“As an exporter of uranium, the government should declare a moratorium until it has reassessed Australian standards and responsibilities in supplying uranium to Japan and the Tokyo Electric Power Company [TEPCO] where demonstrably inadequate regulation was evident.
“The Government has done precisely nothing to address recommendations and issues raised in the September 2011 United Nations (UN) system-wide study on the implications of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
“Australia’s mining and export of uranium is irresponsible and unnecessary, providing only 0.29 per cent of national export revenue and less than 0.015 per cent of Australian jobs in the decade to 2011.
“The fossil and nuclear industries are being rapidly out-competed by renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies,” Senator Ludlam concluded.
Solar power opportunity for Tasmanians – extra good before August 30
NEWSFLASH: Tasmania Solar Feed In Tariff Deadline August 30 http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3894, 19 Aug 13, Tasmanian households considering going solar should make a move right now if they wish to secure the current feed in tariff incentive.
Deputy Premier Bryan Green announced yesterday all existing households under the scheme and those submitting feed in tariff applications before August 30 will continue to receive the feed-in tariff at the current 1:1 rate until 1 January, 2019.
“This will ensure existing customers are treated fairly in light of the capital investments they have made under the current system.”
For those submitting an application after August 30, a transitional feed-in tariff rate of 8 cents per KWh will be introduced from August 31 until December 2013. The feed in tariff rate from the beginning of next year is yet to be determined.
According to solar power provider Energy Matters, a 5.5 kW solar panel systemthe company is currently offering on special installed in Hobart or Launceston can return a financial benefit of approximately $1,600 annually under the current feed in tariff rate. Even a small system can put a sizeable dent in a household’s power bills.
To help more Tasmanian households go solar, the company is also offering a zero-deposit, Save As You Go payment plan option on many systems, whereby electricity bill savings can be more than the repayments. The deadline announcement is likely to generate a rush on systems, so Energy Matters encourages households to not leave organising a system until the last minute as application preparation requires some lead-up time.
Australia good customer for USA weapons firms
This Week in Defense – Investor Center 18 Aug 13, “…………contracts that may not yet be incorporated into defense contractors’ stock prices.
Early in the week, we learned of one such potential contract, when the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that Australia has asked for permission to buy up to 4,002 M1156 Precision Guidance Kits from munitions maker Alliant Techsystems . These kits are used to convert basic “dumb” howitzer rounds into “smart munitions” — projectiles that can change their trajectory in-flight, and use GPS signals to guide them to within 50 meters of their intended target.
If approved by Congress, or indeed, even if Congress simply fails to deny approval of the sale within 15 days of notification, this sale should go through, and result in $54 million in incremental revenues for ATK. ……..http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/08/18/this-week-in-defense-italys-1st-f-35-and-rockets-f/
BHP Billiton under investigation for corruption
BHP Billiton could be facing legal action by US over possible breach of anti-corruption laws ABC News, By business reporter Pat McGrath Aug 16, 2013 Global miner BHP Billiton has revealed it could be facing legal action by US authorities over a potential breach of anti-corruption laws.
The company says the investigation relates to “previously terminated exploration and development efforts, as well as hospitality provided as part of the company’s sponsorship of the 2008 Beijing Olympics”.
BHP announced in April 2010 that it was being investigated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission over possible violations of laws involving interactions with government officials.
In a statement, the company says the Australian Federal Police has also begun an investigation……… http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/bhp-reveals-target-of-us-investigation/4891340
US unexploded bombs found by Australian Navy, on Barrier Reef
Navy finds US bombs dumped on Great Barrier Reef ABC News, By Francis Tapim Aug 16, 2013 The Royal Australian Navy has found four unexploded bombs that were dropped onto the Great Barrier Reef during a military exercise off central Queensland last month.
The bombs were dumped by two US fighter jets during Exercise Talisman Sabre at Shoalwater Bay in mid July.
The Navy’s mine hunting vessel HMAS Gascoyne found the bombs today and is working out a plan to retrieve the ordnance.
The Navy says the bombs were detected at a depth of 60 to 70 metres using sonar equipment in a remote-control submersible.
It says it is working with the US Navy to recover the bombs….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/navy-finds-us-bombs-dumped-on-barrier-reef/4893174
Melbourne to host Australia’s first Energy Storage Conference
Mixed Greens: Energy storage conference coming to Australia REneweconmy,By Staff Reporter on 14 August 2013 Melbourne is set to host Australia’s first ever energy storage conference, which will be held in conjunction with the Solar 2014 conference in May 2014. The Australian Energy Storage Conference will bring together equipment providers, manufactures, utilities, policy makers and energy experts, to explore the market ready applications for energy storage at all scales. It will host a two-day conference program, while also showcasing all the latest technology, solutions and application case studies.
Energy storage is not only widely considered to be the new frontier for the renewable energy industry, addressing one of its major challenges – intermittency, many believe it will be one of the major catalysts that will fundamentally change the entire energy industry. With global investment in energy storage tipped to reach $122 billion by 2021, cost effective solutions are rapidly emerging. The Australian Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition will be the first event in Australia to specifically showcase these, and their applications for renewable energy and beyond. http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/mixed-greens-2-92321
Public comment called for about Mulga Rocks uranium project, Western Australia
Mia Pepper, 15 Aug 13, Mulga Rocks uranium deposit held by Energy and Minerals Australia has been referred to the WA EPA for assessment. Mulga Rocks is adjacent to the Queen Victoria Springs A class reserve – 250km North East of Kalgoorlie – just next door to Tropicana Gold mine. There are priority flora and endangered fauna in the area.
There is an option for public comment on this referral – about the Level of Assessment the project will get. As a nuclear action it must be assessed under the EPBC Act and the Bilateral agreement with WA – but we have been calling for uranium projects in WA to be assessed by Public Inquiry under section 40(2)(c) of the EP Act 1986 through the The Royal Commissions Act 1968. Given the high level of public interest and uniques risks to the environment posed by uranium.
More details on the proposal and public comment can be made to the WA EPA here: https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/seven-day-comment-on-referrals/mulga-rock-uranium-project/consult_view
It would be great for everyone to submit a submission on the Mulga Rocks referral. There is now an easy online form to fill out on the WA EPA website so please take the time to fill it in:https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/seven-day-comment-on-referrals/mulga-rock-uranium-project/consult_view
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/235274195556
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 