Police keep tight control over peaceful protestors at Olympic Dam
Elder Kevin Buzzacott, who had previously tried to stall the mine expansion through a legal challenge, said the uranium 
industry was “deadly”. “The sooner it stops the better. If people really knew what they were destroying they wouldn’t touch it.”
Police accused over Olympic Dam protest BY: SARAH MARTIN, The Australian July 16, 2012 PROTESTERS at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine have accused police of heavy-handedness, as more than 400 people joined a “mutant zombie march” to the Roxby Downs site yesterday.
Organiser Nectaria Calan said police were harassing protesters and depriving the group of their civil liberties by demanding
identification and controlling access to and from their campsite. “They have barricaded us into camps . . . and you can’t get out with a two-wheel-drive,” she said.
“They are forcing us to go through the roadblock with an escort through the protected area, where police have increased powers. We feel like our civil liberties are being undermined.” Continue reading
Police block Roxby Downs protestors: police have extra powers in BHP’s “protected area”
The protestors intend to march again on Monday. Donna Jackson, from the Larrakia people – the traditional owners of
land around Darwin – says she travelled to the mine to protest against uranium being transported through the Northern Territory. “We don’t want uranium coming through our harbour. It’s too unsafe,” she said. “We have a big wet season every year, nearly two metres of rain and there’s been lots of spillage. (photo below from ABC)
(includes video} Anti-nuclear protesters disperse after police stand-off http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-15/anti-nuclear-protesters-disperse-after-police-standoff/4131790 July 16, 2012 Anti-nuclear demonstrators called off Sunday’s protest outside the Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia’s outback after a two-hour stand-off with police.
Organisers say about 450 people had just started their march from their campsite to the gate of the BHP Billiton mine, when their route was blocked by police officers. Continue reading
Australian uranium – “exporting cancer and nuclear weapons fuel” – Dr Helen Caldicott
Exporting uranium ‘worse than selling heroin’ABC News, July 16, 2012 Paediatrician and anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott says her upcoming visit to Roxby Downs will not be part of an ongoing protest against the proposed Olympic Dam mine expansion…….
Dr Caldicott will speak to families in Roxby Downs on Wednesday about the health impacts of uranium mining.
She says living near the mine will greatly increase the risk of getting cancer, particularly among children.
“More than half the people in Roxby are children,” she said.
“We know that children are extremely radiosensitive. Foetuses are thousands of times more so. One x-ray to the pregnant abdomen doubles the incidence of leukaemia in that child…..
She says radioactive particles become airborne around uranium mines.
“In the dust is radium which is very, very carcinogenic, radon gas and the like so people can be exposed consistently to radon gas which is very nasty stuff… and lots of other isotopes that are all daughters of uranium.”
Dr Caldicott says her trip was not intended to coincide with the protests. “That’s serendipity. I was asked to go up there separately,” she said. “I’m going specifically to speak as a doctor.”….
‘Worse than heroin’ Dr Caldicott says Australian uranium was used in the Fukushima reactors that went into meltdown last year. “I think we need to take responsibility as Australians and much of the uranium in those Fukushima reactors that exposed millions of Japanese to radioactive fallout, that was our uranium,” she said.
“We’re exporting uranium that gets fission in reactors and becomes one billion times more radioactive. “Over time our uranium will induce epidemics of cancer. “It’s much worse than exporting heroin because heroin only affects the user whereas this is going to affect all future generations.
“Any country that buys our uranium can make nuclear weapons because 250 kilos of plutonium are made each year in a reactor. “We are in effect exporting cancer and nuclear weapons and that’s not what you would call moral. “The ACTU banned mining in the ’70s for five years on a moral basis.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-16/helen-caldicott-to-visit-roxby-downs/4132836
Lizards Revenge update from camp Sunday 15th July 2012
An estimated 400 people marched to the gates of the Olympic Dam uranium mine today, marking the first day of the Lizards Revenge music and arts festival of resistance.
The overkill of police escorts did not dampen the festival atmosphere, and despite road blocks preventing access to the camp site forcing vehicles to be escorted in by police, the numbers at camp continue to grow.
Organisers estimate that 500 people are camping in the sand dunes at the festival site. Phot below from Roxby Downs Sun
http://www.roxbydownssun.com.au/news/local/news/general/rally-reaches-olympic-dam-gates/2624147.aspx
Forty acts are confirmed to perform at the festival, including bands, cabaret and dance. All musicians will be using a solar and wind powered sound system, showcasing alternatives to dirty energy such as coal and uranium.
Sunday events at the festival include a “Zombie Walk” to the gates of Olympic Dam, leaving camp at 2pm.
Contact: Nectaria Calan 0432 388 665 Photos available on request
Anti uranium music and arts festival opens today at BHP BIlliton’s Olympic Damn uranium mine
LIZARD’S REVENGE KICKS OFF AT OLYMPIC DAM Saturday 14th July Protestors continue to gather for the Lizards Revenge music and arts festival at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam uranium mine. The event officially begins today and is scheduled to run for the next five days.
The event will open with a welcome to country. At 11.00 am Uncle Kevin Buzzacott will be holding a press conference at the camp, and at 12.30 pm there will be a march to the gates of the mine. The music will start in the afternoon, featuring musicians from around the country. The event will showcase sustainable energies such as solar and wind power.
“We have full authority to be here from senior Kokatha custodians,” said Uncle Kevin Buzzacott.
“People worldwide are against the nuclear industry, especially since Fukushima. It’s in the public interest to close the mine. People need to look and learn how deadly this industry is. The sooner it stops the better. We are here to make a strong stand for country, and are fighting to save our sacred land. If people really knew what they were destroying they wouldn’t touch it,” he continued.
“Whilst the police have publicly stated that our right to protest will be upheld, policing approaches to date have set an unreasonable precedent for depriving people of their civil liberties and their right to engage in political demonstration and communication,” said Nectaria Calan.
“After key details relating to the protest have been publicly available for a number of months, those seeking to participate have arrived to discover road blocks preventing access to the site and a ‘protected area’ declaration, under the Protective Security Act, that suspends their freedom of movement, rights to privacy, and other civil liberties.”
“Protesters currently have to obtain permission to leave and enter the camp site. By barricading the main access road to the site, police are forcing attendees to be escorted through the protected area, allowing police to require people in vehicles to provide evidence of their identification.”
“This is an extraordinary infringement on civil liberties. Peaceful demonstration and political communication is not a criminal act. Such moves by the police contradict their public statements that they will respect our right to protest.”
“Despite over-policing and ongoing harassment of those travelling to the event, extending as far as road blocks in Port Augusta, numbers at camp continue to grow,” continued Ms Calan.
Uncle Kevin Buzzacott said, “If people want to learn how to love the land and make peace, they are welcome to come here and join us.” Contact: Nectaria Calan 0432 388 665 Please meet at the silver media caravan at the camp for the press conference with Uncle Kevin
Police intercept anti uranium protestors arriving near Roxby Downs, South Australia
Police brace for five-day Olympic Dam protest BY: MARK SCHLIEBS The Australian July 14, 2012 “……Protest organiser Nectaria Calan said yesterday that, by 4.30pm local time, 200 activists had gathered at a makeshift campground about 2km from the gates to the mine, with several more busloads making their way to the site.
Police were stopping vehicles at roadblocks around the mine and escorting them to the camp. “They’re bringing people around to here with a police escort,” Ms Calan said. “People are starting to feel a little bit unsafe and it’s a fairly hostile step by the police.”
She said protesters would march to the gates this morning, but what they would do after that was still to be decided.
South Australia – welcome to police state
from David Bradbury 13 July About 20 Kms from Roxby. Got pulled over by cops sure enough and breath an drug tested. Once over of Jarmaji’s vehicle. Didn’t dare give J a hard time with two cameras rolling on them all the time. One cop took exception to me filming him filming but didn’t give ground to him. Can imagine J’s situation dreads old car beard and Aboriginal had we not been there. Cops reported to have concrete blocked in and our protestors camp on private land at new base camo. We’ll soon see.
from David Bradbury 8 p.m 12 July Nearing Port Augusta. Four hours south of Roxby. Received word this morning cops now also blockading this southern road from PA to Rox. Cops searching cars and quizzing drivers etc for reason going to Rox. If not ‘legit’ reason, turned back. Welcome to SA police state.
More cops than locals at Roxby Downs
Show of blue force at protest camp The Transcontinental, Port Augusta 13 Jul, 2012 ”MORE cops than locals” is how the police presence in Roxby Downs has been described by residents ahead of a protest rally at Olympic Dam this weekend.
A blockade remains in place on the Olympic Way – the main throughfare to the BHP Olympic Dam mine – with police checking the credentials of motorists who try to gain access.
Hundreds of protestors have set up camp about four kilometres from the mine gates.
Spokeswoman for the protestors Nectaria Calan from Friends of the Earth is encouraging locals to engage with their cause. ”Roxby residents are absolutely welcome to come out and have a chat,” she said. The group is opposed to uranium mining……
http://www.transcontinental.com.au/news/local/news/general/show-of-blue-force-at-protest-camp/2623692.aspx
Anti uranium protestors arriving at Olympic Damn
Protesters gather at Olympic Dam, Herald Sun, AAP July 13, 2012 ANTI-NUCLEAR activists are gathering at Olympic Dam in South Australia’s north to protest against the proposed $30 billion expansion of BHP Billiton’s copper, uranium and gold mine.
Organisers say the five days of action, beginning on Saturday, are planned to be peaceful, with people expected from across Australia. ”We anticipate a vibrant protest camp which combines educational workshops, entertainment and non-violent direct action,” Nectaria Calan said.
“We will converge on the site of the current mine and approved expansion as the South Australian and Australian governments have failed to put the environment and people’s health before short-term economic concerns.
“The impacts of this project will remain long after BHP Billiton packs up, repatriates its profits, and moves on to the next project.”
Police are taking no chances, setting up a major security operation, closing several roads and declaring the area a protected zone……
The protest over Olympic Dam follows court action by Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott in his bid to block the mine’s expansion. Mr Buzzacott asked the Federal Court to block the project on the grounds that federal Environment Minister Tony Burke had not given enough consideration to a number of issues including the risks posed by the storage of radioactive tailings.
His case was dismissed but he has since appealed to the Full Court of the Federal Court which is yet to hand down its judgment. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/protesters-gather-at-olympic-dam/story-e6frf7kf-1226425607523
Despite fossil fuel vested interests, Australia likely to meet its renewable energy target
Technology costs are coming down, and the 7000-8000 gigawatts of renewable energy projects needed to meet the 41,000GW hour target will be built at a lower cost than thought.
Incumbent power generators are holding up progress BY GILES PARKINSON The Australian July 13, 2012 “……Every time Australia manages to take two steps towards the de-carbonisation of its electricity grid and support for a new clean energy industry, vested interests seem determined to force it to take two steps back.
We’ve seen it with the carbon price. The carbon pollution reduction scheme was scuttled in cut-throat games of political football, and while NGAS became redundant on June 30 with the introduction of federal Labor’s carbon price, calls to reduce that to almost zero are growing ever louder. Howard’s target was neutered when he refused to extend it after an extraordinary response and nearly $4 billion in investment. The Victorian Labor government tried to fill the void with
its own target but was forced by the fossil fuel lobby to backpedal. Continue reading
Olympic Dam anti uranium protest 12 July
from David Bradbury 4 p.m 12 July Just got call through to Kelly at base camp. Police say anyone who uses the Oodinatta track to go south to Roxby from present base camp on Uncle Kevins country will be fined $1500. Not a bad earn for our neutral Guardians of Democracy: the SA police force. At that rate they won’t have to rely on BHPB’s miserable tax rate royalties to keep SA Inc afloat. Just keep fining the ‘ferals’ and ‘Greenies’.
from David Bradbury 3 p.m 12 July Jarminji at the wheel.42 Kms from Port Augusta…and 4hrs approx from police blockade just south of Roxby. Reports of lots of cop cars and scores of police ‘everywhere’ to thwart protest camp being set up at mine entrance -proverbial Gates of Hell.
from David Bradbury 2.p.m 12 July Nearing Port Augysta. Four hours south of Roxby. Received word this morning cops now also blockading this southern road from PA to Rox. Cops searching cars and quizzing drivers etc for reason going to Rox. If not ‘legit’ reason, turned back. Welcome to SA police state. Feels more like redneck Qld under Jo Bjelke of 30 years ago.
Dr Helen Caldicott’s call to the mothers at Roxby Downs Wednesday 18 July
Dear mothers, fathers and grandmothers of Roxby, I am a paediatrician and I have worked for years treating children with cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease of childhood. I am deeply concerned and committed to the well-being of our children and grandchildren. That is why I plan to come to Roxby on the afternoon of July 18th to speak at a public meeting about the special vulnerability that babies and children have to radiation exposure.
Because their cells are rapidly dividing as they grow, they are 10 to 20 times more apt to develop cancer if exposed to radioactive materials in the dust and the air and little girls happen to be twice as vulnerable as little boys. Also women
are twice a sensitive than men – we do not know why.
Living in Roxby adjacent to the uranium mining poses special risks to children and I will explain why when you attend the meeting.
I am also concerned about the health of the miners themselves as their bodies are constantly being exposed to radiation from the uranium ore face and also they are inevitably breathing in radioactive gases even if the mine is well ventilated. Also the badges they wear do not measure the deadly alpha radiation that they swallow and inhale.
I will describe how cancer is caused by radiation exposure, how long it takes to develop and what we as doctors can or cannot do about it.
I addressed a similar meeting years ago at the Mary Kathleen uranium mine in Queensland, where at first the people were suspicious, but after I explained the dangers of uranium mining and radiation the people were immensely grateful and lined up in queues to ask me questions. As a deeply concerned doctor I therefore invite you to attend this meeting. Wednesday July 18th from 1-3pm at the Oasis Motor Inn.
Very sincerely,
Helen Caldicott MD
Dr Caldicott received her medical degree from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 1961. She founded the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital in 1975 and subsequently was an instructor in pediatrics at the world leading Harvard Medical School in America and was on the staff of the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Boston. She
has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work for humanity.
Aboriginal Traditional Owners join Maritime Union of Australia in Darwin anti-nuclear protest
We’ll stand with workers to stop the waste: Muckaty Traditional Owners join nuclear dump protest at Darwin wharf Senior Traditional Owners from the area targeted for a national nuclear waste dump will join Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) representatives from around the country for a protest at Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin this afternoon at 4pm.
The rally marks seven years since the former Howard government announced plans for building the first national radioactive waste dump at one of three potential sites in the NT. Minister Martin Ferguson has continued to pursue Northern Territory sites, with legislation passed earlier this year naming Muckaty, 120km north of Tennant Creek, as the only place now under active consideration.
Bunny Nabarula, 83 years old, has travelled from Tennant Creek to attend the rally. “We want to work together with the MUA and others to stop this waste dump. We don’t want any waste stored in our country, we’re thinking about our children, our grandchildren and the country. We want to be able to enjoy our country, not have it spoiled”.
Muckaty Traditional Owner Isobel Phillips added, “We want the government to start thinking about the risks of this waste dump plan. We are worried about the safety of workers handling the waste at the Port, we are worried about storing the waste on our country. When will the government think about the safety of the people?”
Beyond Nuclear Initiative coordinator Natalie Wasley said, “When announcing the dump plan in 2005, Federal Science Minister Brendan Nelson asked ‘why on earth can’t people in the middle of nowhere have low- level and intermediate level waste.’ People have worked tirelessly over the last seven years to spread their story nationally and challenge the notion that remote areas can be used as political and environmental sacrifice zones.”
“The rally today shows that Territory concern has grown into a national issue. Traditional Owners, unionists and environmentalists have mobilised supporters around the country, including peak public health and trade union bodies. The Northern Territory Government also remains strongly opposed to the plan”.
Bunny Nabarula says the community is determined to stop the waste dump at Muckaty “In April we blocked the highway in Tennant Creek and stopped a road train. We’ll stand with workers at the Port to stop this waste being unloaded from the ships. We’ll dance at the wharf to stop the waste coming through.”
Maritime Union of Australia to rally against proposed nuclear waste dump at Muckaty
MUA Stands With Traditional Owners To Oppose Nuclear Dump 11 July 12 The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is proud to host an anti-nuclear rally against the proposed nuclear dump site at Muckaty this Thursday in Darwin. The rally will be held at Stokes Hill Wharf and is expected to attract wide-ranging support, with a number of MUA officials from around Australia in attendance.
The rally will be held on the seven-year anniversary of Muckaty being selected as the site for a nuclear waste facility – which is still opposed by traditional owners, the NT community and community and environmental groups from around Australia.
“The MUA has been proud to support the traditional owners who are opposed to the construction of the proposed dump in their community,” said MUA NT Organiser Thomas Mayor.
“The MUA is also very concerned that our members would have to handle this waste when it enters the Port of Darwin, bound for Muckaty when the emergency response capabilities in Darwin do not exist for such a dangerous cargo. “The MUA will be attending the rally in force, and will continue to oppose the dump.” Muckaty was chosen as the site for Australia’s first nuclear waste facility by the Howard Government, and there has been consistent opposition from members of the community and the NT Government.
Members of the Warl-Manpa community have lived at Muckaty, near Tenant Creek for thousands of years. At a recent hearing at the Federal Court in Melbourne, traditional owners had hoped to have the date set to begin a formal hearing to try to have the decision overturned, but that decision has now been adjourned until November.
“It is a really frightening thought that local people won’t get a say about what’s stuck there, buried in their own lands,” said Mr Mayor.“As a community, we will be standing together to say that this plan is unacceptable.”
DETAILS OF THE RALLY: Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin | 4pm | Thursday 12 July Media Contact: Thomas Mayor 0437 650 221
Australia in transition, coal on the way out, solar on the way in
There are some companies which have been preparing for the introduction of this carbon price for quite some time. They have carried out a lot of refitting, so they now find themselves in a fairly good position.
On the other hand the dirtiest power stations, especially the lignite stations, are having problems re-financing their loans. The banks don’t think the business model will work anymore. In the federal state of Victoria, for instance, with the major city of Melbourne, some of these lignite-run plants have a question mark over their future in the medium term.
World’s top coal exporter braces for green future Deutsche Welle, 10 July 12, Interview: Irene Quaile “……As in so many countries at the moment, the solar sector is also undergoing a transition process. It is moving away from the stage ofconstantly hunting for subsidies to becoming an industry that sees it can stand on its own two feet. Because of rising electricity prices, we are seeing that consumers are becoming more interested in producing their own power. And the pressure from China, which has led to a sharp drop in the price of modules, is making it increasingly attractive for consumers to opt for solar.
Australia has introduced a carbon emissions tax in a bid to combat climate change. Kristian Wolf, head of the German-Australian Chamber of Commerce says this will promote renewable energy in the coal exporting nation.
Deutsche Welle: The introduction of a carbon levy for the 500 biggest CO2 emitters has been very controversial. What was behind the opposition? 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 