Darwin a “soft touch” for Queensland & Western Australia’s uranium export hub
ACF fears push to make Darwin uranium export hub ABC News 20 March 13, “….ACF spokesman Dave Sweeney says the Northern Territory is perceived as an easy target.
“(They) are seeing Darwin as a soft touch,” he said.
“State governments in Queensland and Western Australia know uranium is controversial, know its transport raises concerns and know that people have real issues about its movements.
“They are seeing Darwin as the politically easy solution.”
A Queensland government Uranium Mining Implementation Committee report on uranium mining in the state has made 40 recommendations, including using interstate ports for shipping.
Darwin and Adelaide are the only ports in Australia now permitted to be used for the export of uranium oxide. … http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-19/uranium-exports-darwin-port-qld-govt-acf/4581592
Australians’ Earth Hour pledge for renewable energy
Earth Hour this month http://www.stmarysstar.com.au/story/1370881/earth-hour-this-month/?cs=12 March 18, 2013, Earth Hour, the global phenomenon that started in Australia and spread to 152 countries around the world, will return at 8.30pm this Saturday, March 23.
This year Australians won’t just be switching off their lights for Earth Hour. They will also pledge to switch over to renewable energy for good.
By pledging to switch at earthhour.org.au, thousands of Australians will be committing themselves to a better future for our planet. Continue reading
Lynas rare earth’s plant in debate in Malaysia’s election campaigning
Andan Sura Rabu, a candidate for Kuantan in state elections for an Islamic party in Dr Anwar’s alliance, said he was campaigning on the promise the plant would be shut and opened only “if the public can be convinced it is safe”.
“Why bring this dangerous material all the way from Australia to be processed here .. . why not process it in your desert?” he said.
Rare earths move for Anwar, but only if proved safe, The Examiner, By Lindsay Murdoch March 7, 2013, Malaysia’s Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to back Australian miner Lynas operating a controversial rare earths processing plant, if a new public inquiry proves it to be safe.
Dr Anwar confirmed that if he won power, he would fast-track the inquiry but until then he would move quickly to shut the plant near the coastal town of Kuantan, 194 kilometres north-east of Kuala Lumpur.
“I am not prepared to risk the safety of people in and around Kuantan,” Continue reading
Australian govt funding for Solar Micro-Inverter Technology
The Clean Technology Innovation Program offers grants of between $50,000 and $5 million. More information on the program is available at ausindustry.gov.au
Australian Solar Micro-Inverter Technology Gets Funding Boost http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3625 7 March 13 Melbourne’s Semitech Semiconductor Pty Ltd has been awarded a grant of $1.86 million to further develop its micro-inverter technology. The grant is part of the Gillard Government’s $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program; which has been funded by revenue from the carbon price.
A micro-inverter is a small box situated on the back of or nearby a solar panel that converts direct current electricity generated by a solar panel to alternating current; suitable for use by household appliances. Unlike a traditional solar inverter, which handles the conversion for a number of panels plus other functions, a micro-inverter is associated with a single panel.
Micro-inverters can offer improved overall system efficiency, Continue reading
Resource rich Western Australia doesn’t need uranium mining, just as it doesn’t need asbestos mining
WA is and will remain a resource rich state and this can continue without uranium mining. Many years ago WA turned off the toxic tap on asbestos mining as the industry damaged lives and lost its social licence.
Uranium is the asbestos of the 21st century — a known carcinogen that poses a direct hazard to people and the environment for thousands of years. On a good day uranium becomes high level radioactive waste, on a bad day it fuels Fukushimas and on a very bad day promotes the spread of nuclear weapons.
WA Should Leave Its Uranium In The Ground http://newmatilda.com/2013/03/06/wa-should-leave-its-uranium-ground New Matilda, 6 March 13, The uranium industry promises big and delivers little. So why is the WA Liberal Government set to greenlight the state’s first uranium mine? Voters in the upcoming state election should be wary, writes Dave Sweeney
There is a lot of talk about debt in the current WA state election campaign.
Labor talks of the growing level of state debt and the burden on taxpayers while the Coalition maintains that it is necessary to borrow in order to build. Debt is an obligation, a liability, something that is owed — now and into the future.
But neither major party is talking about another form of debt — one that would effectively forever shackle West Australian communities and our unique environment and lifestyle.
In 2012 the state Legislative Council moved to bring WA into line with the regulatory practice required at the controversial Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu and passed a resolution calling for mines wastes from any future West Australian uranium mine to be isolated from people and the wider environment for 10,000 years. The resolution provides industry guidance but is not yet a mandated requirement. Critics of the uranium trade believe that this is essential.
Unsurprisingly the industry’s promotional body, the Australian Uranium Association, is lobbying to avoid any effective industry constraints…… Continue reading
A Sustainable Energy Policy for Western Australia
SEA’s Sustainable Energy Vision For Western Australia http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3624 6 Mar 13, Last week, the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) released its policy position ahead of the Western Australian State Election on March 9, 2013.
“Creating a sustainable energy future for Western Australia” was based on the views of the SEA’s 300 members who responded to a survey regarding what action they would like to see from Western Australia’s next State Government.
The five key recommendations: Continue reading
Australian Red Cross joins Oslo conference’s call for a Convention to make nuclear weapons illegal
International push to make nuclear weapons illegal http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2013-03-05/international-push-to-make-nuclear-weapons-illegal/1097026 5 March 2013, The Red Cross is calling for an international convention to make the use of nuclear weapons illegal . Nuclear weapons] have the capacity…to destroy not only a whole city, but whole regions
The Red Cross is calling for an international convention to make the use of nuclear weapons illegal .
An international conference of 132 governments is meeting in Oslo this week to examine the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.
Australia Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner has told Radio Australia’s Connect Asia program the time has come for governments to take a stand on the issue.
“It’s just incredible to my mind that we have a convention around land mines, around cluster munitions – essentially saying that they are no longer weapons of war – but we don’t around the issue of nuclear weapons,” he said.
“One of the greatest threats to humanity on the planet is the potential use of nuclear weapons. Continue reading
Western Australian Labor to open up solar energy market, if elected
Labor promises to open up solar energy market ABC News Feb 28, 2013 Western Australian Labor has promised to open up the solar energy market if it wins the State election. The Opposition’s Energy spokesman Bill Johnston told a sustainable energy forum last night that if Labor wins the election it would create renewable energy cooperatives.
Mr Johnston says that would enable people living in apartments to invest in solar panels.
“What we will do is allow people to invest in PV generation and put it on a government building roof and that will allow them to offset their energy costs and sell back to the system the excess energy they generate,” he said.
“This policy is especially created for renters and people living in apartments who don’t have a rooftop to put solar panels on to. “This system will allow everybody in Western Australia to be part of the renewable energy revolution.”,,,,,,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-28/labor-pushes-renewable-energy/4544840?section=wa
Senator Christine Milne warns on National Party push for axing of Renewable Energy Target
[ Tony Abbott’s Direct Action plan carries] the risk that the government ends up funnelling billions of dollars to companies to subsidise their profit without achieving any real additional cuts in emissions.’ ”
Stress over renewable energy goal Sydney Morning Herald, March 1, 2013Lenore Taylor
Chief Political Correspondent,
Pressure is mounting within the federal Coalition to abolish or scale back the 20 per cent renewable energy target, with Nationals senator Ron Boswell claiming his party backs his demand the policy be axed.
While pledging to abolish the carbon price, the Coalition has always offered bipartisan support for the RET, which remains the biggest driver of investment in renewable energy.
But Senator Boswell told the Senate on Thursday that the RET should be abolished….. Continue reading
Cowra Peace Bell will fly Aboriginal flag, as well as Australian national flag
Aboriginal flag to fly at Cowra Peace Bell, Cowra Community News, 28 Feb 13 THE Aboriginal flag will be raised to fly permanently beside the Australian flag at Cowra’s World Peace Bell in a ceremony to be held next Tuesday, March 5.
Aboriginal and community leaders will attend the Darling St ceremony, to start at 10am. The flag-raising honours Cowra Shire Council’s decision to fly both flags.
“There was a consensus at our last council meeting to honour our original residents by flying the (Aboriginal) flag beside council’s flag,” says Mayor of Cowra, Bill West. “This decision follows a request from the local Aboriginal community to consider the permanent flying of the Aboriginal flag to recognise their unique position as our first Australians.”
The Aboriginal flag is now well recognised as that of Australia’s original inhabitants – the black top-half symbolising the Aboriginal people, the red bottom-half representing the earth, and the yellow circle in the centre signifying the sun, says Cr West.
“Council recognises the unique status of Aboriginal people as the original owners of the land; flying the flags together symbolises an acknowledgement of a shared future for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people built upon the principles of diversity, equity and social justice,” the Mayor says….. http://cowracommunitynews.com/viewnews.php?newsid=3007&id=2
Trend to renewable energy going faster than we expected
- “……The move to cleaner energy is now part of a strengthening global trend. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, new global investment in clean energy is now greater than in coal and gas. In 2004 only $US34 billion was invested in clean energy globally. In 2012 Bloomberg estimates that it was almost $270 billion.
This is all happening a good deal faster than most predictions and is being stimulated by technological innovation, multi-million dollar investment and a rapid decline in the cost of renewables.
In Australia and elsewhere, cleaner energy growth has been driven by policies including renewable energy targets, feed-in tariffs and government incentives. There is nothing new in this. Last century, providing electricity to every home and business involved direct action by governments through extensive public funding and active regulation. The largest engineering project in Australian history is still the Snowy Mountains scheme: a nation-building clean energy project driven by political optimism….. Our energy system will continue to change as clean energy costs continue to fall, and both businesses and individuals move to take control of their electricity costs.
The political debate in this federal election year will no doubt be fierce. Notwithstanding differences over the carbon price, it is heartening that both sides of politics in Australia accept the need to maintain the current national renewable energy target of achieving at least a 20 per cent share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020.
But beyond power generation, energy innovation will also involve developing a better understanding of the electricity we use in a cleaner, smarter energy system. It is a change that Australia can, and I believe will, embrace. http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/focus-australias-energy-system-heats
Sustainability Victoria failed to publicise guide to energy efficiency and developing small renewable energy systems
Sustainability guide on ice http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sustainability-guide-on-ice-20130227-2f6cy.html February 28, 2013 Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age VICTORIA’S lead sustainability agency shelved documents for more than a year that would help encourage greater connection of energy efficient power options for small businesses, communities and local councils. Continue reading
Newcastle did not warm to the anti global warming message of “Lord” Monckton
Monckton urges dancing over global warming, ABC News Feb 27, 2013 British climate change sceptic Christopher Monckton got a mixed response from a Newcastle audience overnight, as he presented his views on global warming.
Despite an overwhelming majority of climate scientists reaching consensus on human-induced climate change, Lord Monckton says he does not believe there has been any evidence of global warming for 17 years.
He said his research shows ‘extreme weather events’ cannot be blamed on climate change.
He told the 50 people gathered they should be ‘dancing in the streets’, but not all were convinced….. “The guy is a complete snake oil salesman,” one man said….
Lord Monckton is presenting a series of talks on climate change and will be in Sydney later this week. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-27/monckton-urges-dancing-over-global-warming/4541948
Face to Face with Fukushima – Japanese and Australia speakers March 14
Speakers include:
Akira Kawasaki, Peace Boat organisation, Tokyo- Japan
Hasegawa Kenichi, a farmer from the Iitate village, Fukushima- Japan
Tomohiro Matsuoka, Japanese for Peace, Melbourne- Australia
and from Darwin,
Andrew Campbell, Director, Research Institute for the
Environment & Livelihoods
Michael Haire, NT Organiser, Electrical Trades unions
Donna Jackson, Australian Nuclear Free Alliance, Larrakia activist This is a free event, please come along.
In Australia, renewable energy now cheaper than new fossil fuels
Analysts say renewable energy now cheaper option than new fossil fuels
in Australia, Gizmag, By Antonio Pasolini February 14, 2013 In 2008,
the Garnaut Climate Change Review ranked Australia as the highest per
capita emitter of greenhouse gases of any OECD country and amongst the
highest in the world. One of the reasons for the country’s high carbon
footprint is its reliance on coal for electricity generation – 54
percent of it, according to the Australian Coal Association. But a new
study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) points to a cleaner
energy future with the claim that unsubsidized renewable energy is now
a cheaper option for electricity generation than new coal- or
gas-fired power stations.
According to the BNEF study, electricity can now be supplied from a
new-build wind farm in Australia for AUD$80/MWh (US$83), while the
cost of electricity supplied from a new coal plant is AUD$143/MHh
(US$148) and AUD$116/MWh (US$120) for new baseload gas plants. While
these figures include emission taxation under Prime Minister Julia
Gillard’s carbon pricing scheme that was introduced last year, the
report says that, even without a carbon price, wind energy is still 14
percent cheaper than new coal and 18 percent cheaper than new gas.
The prices are the continuation of a downward trend for renewables in
Australia…… Continue reading
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 