Australia in no way an international leader on carbon tax, and Climate Change action
Australia is punching below its weight, ABC 21 Aug 12, GERRY HUESTON“……..we belong to a group of 20 carbon heavyweights – 20 countries that contribute 75 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. These countries are the most influential and will shape the global response to climate change.
The other great myth put by commentators is that the world is not doing much and therefore neither should Australia.
For those commentators that think we’re leading, I can only say, on what measure? Are we the only country to have a carbon price? No. As of next year 33 countries and state jurisdictions will be using a carbon pricing to reduce emissions and incentivise cleaner energy. Continue reading
Anti nuclear protest in Alice Springs, as Northern Territory elections approach
Red Centre protest against nuclear waste plans http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/red-centre-protest-against-nuclear-061422279.html By Allyson Horn | ABC , Aug 21, 2012 Dozens of people gathered in Alice Springs to protest against a nuclear waste facility and more uranium mining in the Northern Territory.
Local candidates in this weekend’s election stood alongside the protesters, chanting their opposition to a nuclear Territory.
The protesters set up a giant inflatable waste barrel, attracting attention from passing motorists. Jimmy Cocking from the Arid Lands Environment Centre said the protesters wanted to raise the profile of the issue ahead of the
election.
“We are really concerned about Angela Pamela (uranium deposit) and getting that off the agenda, full stop, and also the Muckaty waste dump,” he said.
“We are really concerned about the transport of nuclear material from Roxby Downs coming through here as well.” Labor, the Greens and Independent candidates were at the protest.
Scrapping of new Olympic Dam mine a sign of nuclear industry in terminal decline
Politics wrap: SMH, Katharine Murphy August 22, 2012 “….John Howard had first suggested pricing carbon,
not the current Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
After Question Time, mining giant BHP Billiton said it would delay a planned expansion at Olympic Dam.
The company cited commercial factors. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson cited commercial factors.
Mr Abbott cited the carbon and mining taxes.
The Greens cited Fukushima…. The Greens see the Olympic Dam decision as a reflection not on Australian taxes but on the future of the nuclear industry: in critical condition post Fukushima. Greens nuclear policy spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam: The nuclear industry globally is in terminal decline, contributing to the business case against the Olympic Dam expansion.
Since the Fukushima disaster, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland have announced a complete nuclear phase-out. Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, and Thailand have cancelled projects. New proposals for plants in Brazil, France, India, and the USA were cancelled. Now it seems the industry may be headed for a phase-out in Japan as well……
: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/politics-wrap-august-22-2012-20120822-24lcj.html#ixzz24LpmHHt5
Radiation in imported Japanese cars
Earlier, in June 2011, Australia had imported 800 vehicles from Japan and reported a significant level of radiation.
Cars with radiation threats, Business Recorder August 19, 2012 HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI (ISLAMABAD) For quite sometime, concerns have been shown by the local automotive industry about the import of refurbished and used cars from Japan into Pakistan that could possibly be contaminated by radiation. It is a grave issue of public health and safety,.. Continue reading
Australia’s Dubbo zirconia project to be significant rare earths producer by 2015, Mineweb, Andrew Duffy, 14 Aug 2012 Alkane Resources is working with ANSTO to produce significant quantities of heavy and light rare earths from its Dubbo zirconia project in New South Wales with first output targeted for 2015……On a tour of its ANSTO pilot plant Alkane managing director Ian Chalmers told Australian Mining the company was aiming to be producing rare earths by 2015…..
Subject to approvals construction is expected to begin in 2013….As Alkane inches closer towards the 2015 production
deadline Chalmers said the company was working on juggling developments and research to keep on schedule.
He marked final government approvals as other major hurdles beyond the research with ANSTO.
And while so far steering clear of local opposition, the company remains mindful of the importance of keeping those outside the industry on side.
Rooftop solar energy is meeting peak demand, especially in South Australia
Rooftop solar panels: our new peaking power generators REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 14 August 2012 Demand management has finally entered the political lexicon, as politicians to the left and the right realise that a 20-lane wide power grid has been built to service our energy demands, when one half that size might just as easily fit the bill.
Politicians are reacting because the increasing cost to consumers is finally being passed on to the ruling class in the form of a cost to their political capital. But amid the name-calling, the blame-gaming, the party one liners, and the ducking and weaving, comes the realisation that there are some seriously good alternatives. But what is not widely accepted is that many of these solutions involve renewables.
The common thinking among many energy experts and energy ingénues is that renewables such as wind and solar are intermittent and unreliable, and therefore cannot be relied upon for “baseload” generation, let alone switched on at will to meet the rising peaks.
The CSIRO would like to differ. In fact, says Glenn Platt, the head of the local energy systems team, distributed generation such as tri-generation and co-generation, but also in the form of rooftop solar, can play a crucial part in meeting peaking demand. Far from contributing to the problem, renewables such as solar can be harnessed to provide a solution.
“The traditional view would be to say that solar generation doesn’t have a huge part to play in peak demand,” Platt told RenewEconomy in an interview. “But if you look at peak demand on the wider electricity market, it coincides very well.”
The Australian Energy Market Operator noted in a report last week that in the state with the highest amount of solar PV, South Australia, where two out of five houses have a rooftop system, 38 per cent of the solar output could be considered to be meeting peak demand…… http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/how-rooftop-solar-can-help-meet-energy-demand-peaks-32691
Repowering Port Augusta with SOLAR ENERGY
Repower Port Augusta Walk for Solar http://repowerportaugusta.org/civicrm/event/info?id=2&reset=1 This September, we’re walking 300km to Repower Port Augusta’s coal stations with solar thermal.
Port Augusta is a town at a crossroads. With two coal-fired power stations closing, we have the opportunity to decide whether they are replaced with Australia’s first solar thermal power station, or with a dirty gas plant.
The power company, the local council, local community and businesses all want solar – but to make this happen we need the support of the Premier and the Federal Government. We need to make Port Augusta a national issue.
Join us in walking from the 16th to 30th September, 300km all the way from Port Augusta to Premier Weatherill’s door in Adelaide. Together we’ll shine the national spotlight on the opportunity for solar thermal and make it a national moment the country can’t ignore.
We can create enough public pressure to force the Premier and Federal Government to support a solar plant, but to win we need you to walk with us. Register your interest in joining the walk below or donate to make the campaign a reality here. Continue reading
Turnaround in Australia’s energy predictions – new wind power will dominate
It’s official: Australia needs no new coal or gas baseload REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson 9 August 2012 Since pretty much the start of the National Electricity Market more than a decade ago, the Australian power industry has regarded the annual Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) as their bible to help pinpoint where a new coal or gas-fired generator might be needed to meet rising demand.
Given the recent revisions to the demand outlook, the list of opportunities for the coming year was expected to
be small. It turns out there are basically none. This would come as no surprise to the industry, which as been foreshadowing such a scenario since the start of the year, and it makes it pretty much official:
There is no need for any new fossil fuel generation over the next decade, and wind farms will dominate Australia’s new build in the years to come. Continue reading
Figures show inflation effect of carbon tax mostly hot air ,
The Courier, By Peter Martin Aug. 7, 2012, Promising signs … initial research suggests Mr Abbott’s negative comments regarding the carbon tax may have been premature.
TONY ABBOTT said its impact on the cost of living would be “almost unimaginable”. Joe Hockey said it would “drive up the price of everything”. The Senate leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, said it would force working mothers to pay “over $100 for a roast”.
Yet the first figures in on the price impact of the carbon tax show its effect contained and inflation surprisingly low. Continue reading
Victoria’s Baillieu government using every trick to prevent wind energy development
VCAT Exposes Baillieu Govt’s Double Standard on Wind Energy http://yes2renewables.org/2012/08/08/vcat-exposes-baillieu-govts-double-standard-on-wind-energy-2/ August 8, 2012 by Leigh Ewbank The Baillieu government has done its best to hide its distaste for renewable energy since introducing the anti-wind farm planning amendment VC82 almost a year ago.
Last Friday, the first cracks in the Coalition’s public position appeared when the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found Minister for Planning Matthew Guy had not responded to information provided by wind energy company Mitsui in ‘reasonable time.’
VCAT’s determination on the Department of Planning’s handling of the Bald Hills wind farm project application reveals what appears to be a deliberate attempt by the government to slow down wind energy approvals process. “The only conclusion that can be drawn,” says Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker, “is that the government is acting to frustrate wind energy development.” Continue reading
Time for SA Govt to find some true Olympic spirit – don’t extend Olympic Dam contract
The Weatherill Government must clearly state there will be no extension on the contract to expand the Roxby 
mine, says Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell.
The call comes as speculation increases that BHP Billiton will not make a decision on the Olympic Dam Mine Expansion until after the December 15 deadline set out in the Indenture agreement negotiated last year. In yesterday’s Sunday Mail, ex Treasurer Kevin Foley said the Government should force BHPB to stick to the deadline.
“The SA Government is chasing its Olympic dream – the only problem is the other side is simply not playing fair,” said Mr Parnell. “There is an iron clad contract between the South Australian Government and BHP Billiton. Both sides knew the rules when they signed this agreement – including the 12 month deadline.
“If giving BHP Billiton everything they wanted was an Olympic sport, the SA Government would win a gold medal. They have already rolled over enough on environmental standards, local jobs and royalties.
“It’s time for Premier Weatherill to take a stand. Kevin Foley is dead right on the ODX deadline: ‘a deal is a deal, you break it at your peril’.
“If BHP Billiton refuses to commit by December, the SA Parliament must be given another opportunity to renegotiate a better deal for South Australia.
“Premier Weatherill must stand firm against BHP Billiton and say his Government will not accept an extension on this already ridiculously over-generous contract,” he said.
Doubts continue about BHP’s expansion of Olympic Damn uranium mine
No change yet to mine plans: premier 9 News Aug 6 2012 South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says he still can’t see any justification for granting BHP Billiton an extension to the agreement to expand the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine.
The company has until the end of the year to give the $30 billion expansion the final go-ahead or face the need to renegotiate approvals with the state government….. “Right at the moment there is a lot of speculation about the future of BHP,” Mr Weatherill told ABC Radio on Monday….. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8511545/no-change-yet-to-mine-plans-premier
Dr Helen Caldicott to speak at Sydney forum on August 25
Beyond Nuclear , 6 Aug 12 Fantastic news as we commemorate Hiroshima Day- Dr Helen Mary Caldicott is confirmed to speak at the ‘Nuclear South Wales?’ discussion and workshop day in Sydney on August 25. Other guest speakers include Dr Gavin Mudd, independent consultant and mining expert; Jim Green, Friends of the Earth nuclear free campaigner and Paul McAleer from Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). The day runs from 10-3, please send Beyond Nuclear Initiative a message if you want to come along. We will discuss the Movement Against Uranium Mining in the 70s/80s (and lessons for today), the state if the nuclear industry and brainstorm ideas for building a nuclear free NSW.
Prime Minister Gillard to visit India: sale of uranium a top issue
Gillard’s three-day visit here will provide an opportunity to India to push for early supply of uranium from Australia
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to visit India in October; supply of uranium, trade on cards Economic Times, NEW DELHI, 3 AUG, 2012: After a positive reversal of the policy on supply of uranium to India, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is scheduled to undertake her first official visit here from October 15 during which New Delhi willbe seen pushing for boosting civil nuclear ties.
The issue of civil nuclear cooperation is also expected to figure very high when India will also host Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Continue reading
Fears of Assange’ s mother are justified, as USA seeks to punish those who expose government corruption
Assange’s mother stated, “The US government feels that it can seek to try my son for espionage, and possibly executing him simply for doing the job of a good investigative journalist, which is telling the truth about power.”
Assange’s mother justifiably fears U.S. would torture, maybe kill him http://www.examiner.com/article/assange-s-mother-justifiably-fears-u-s-would-torture-maybe-kill-him?CID=examiner_alerts_article, AUGUST 3, 2012 BY: DEBORAH DUPRE
The mother of WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange is seeking refuge in the small safe haven nation, Ecuador, due the Assanges’ fear of United States persecution, a justified concern, according to The Guardian on Thursday. The American government, that claims world leadership in press freedom and democracy, is using Assange as an example of what will happen to other journalists and human rights defenders who expose high-level government corruption, The Guardian reports.
Assange’s and his mother’s concerns of U.S. persecution are justified on two counts, according to The Guardian:
“A grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, empanelled to investigate violations of the Espionage Act – a statute that by its very nature targets speech – has subpoenaed Twitter feeds regarding Assange and WikiLeaks. An FBI agent, testifying at whistleblower Bradley Manning’s trial, said that “founders, owners and managers” of WikiLeaks are being investigated.
“And then there is Assange’s 42,135-page FBI file – a compilation of curious heft if the government is “not interested” in investigating its subject.”
In considering whether Assangs’s concerns about being treated inhumanely if extradited to the US,The Guardian reports, “One need only consider how the US treated Bradley Manning, the army private who allegedly leaked the cables to WikiLeaks to see why.” Manning spent nearly a year in 23 hours a day solitary confinement and then eight months “under conditions designed to pressure him into providing evidence to incriminate Assange”: stripped of clothing and made to stand nude for inspection.
Thousands of people, including legal scholars and the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, have condemned the U.S. treatment of Manning as inhumane and torturous.
“There is no reason for Assange to expect he will be treated any better.” 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 