Call to urge inquiry in to Rupert Murdoch’s media monopoly in Australia
AVAAZ, 24 Aug 11, Prime Minister Gillard may finally be about to order an inquiry into Rupert Murdoch’s stranglehold on our media. If she does, it would serve as the next blow to Murdoch’s already crumbling global empire — and revitalize our media and democracy.
The PM may make her decision in the coming hours, but insiders say she is wobbling under direct pressure from Murdoch’s lobbyists. Powerful members of her cabinet have her ear and could shore up her support — but they need a huge push from the public to strengthen their hand and secure the PM’s commitment to a robust, far-reaching inquiry.
Let’s flood her cabinet members with calls today and give them the public mandate they need to take a strong stand and hold the PM steady in her decision. The next few hours are crucial to securing the inquiry we’ve pushed so hard for. Take a moment and call these numbers now — the talking points below will help guide you in what to say:
Kate Ellis: (02) 6277 7630
Tanya Plibersek: (02) 6277 7200
Anthony Albanese: (02) 6277 7680
Liberal party’s truckin’ anti-carbon tax – a bit of a flop
Convoy of no confidence runs short on revs, The Age,,Richard, Willingham, August 23, 2011 ANOTHER sitting week in Parliament and another protest against the carbon tax, this time in the shape of the convoy of no confidence.
This was an angry crowd but a small one, with 300 people gathering on the Parliament lawns as 200 vehicles from all over Australia rolled around Canberra blowing their horns.
Protest organisers, Tony Abbott, Warren Truss and Barnaby Joyce shared the stage and spoke about the evils of the carbon tax, the poor handling of live exports and rising debt – calling for a fresh election…… Continue reading
Nuclear weapons obsolete, Australia too subservient to USA – says former Prime Minister
Malcolm Fraser to share wisdom at Toorak dinner, STONNINGTON LEADER 21 AUG 11 BY LAURA ARMITAGE MALCOLM Fraser’s carefully written memoir promises to be among the best insights to Australian political history…..In retirement, he has remained at the forefront of political and social debate.
Mr Fraser, since estranged from the Liberal Party, said his memoirs covered “everything”, including topics such as the carbon tax, nuclear weapons and asylum seekers…….. “Nuclear weapons are no longer necessary for the defence of countries,” he said.“Australia has to learn to be much more independent and less subservient to the US….”…. http://stonnington-leader.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/malcolm-fraser-to-share-wisdom-at-toorak-dinner/
Human guinea pigs for ionising radiation – the people of Fukushima
As a regular critic of Australia’s commercial TV, I need to acknowledge Channel 9’s recent efforts on the disaster of ionising radiation in Fukushima, and on the coming impact of Climate Change on Western Australia – CM
VIDEO, Japan using Fukushima people as human Guinea Pigs — TV Channel 9 Liz Hayes, 60 Minutes
Clean energy a sound long term investment
Clean energy is not getting a free kick. Funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will not be a slush fund – it’s a loan. Clean energy will be challenged to deliver viable, cost-effective solutions. There will be risk, and not all investments will succeed.
But if investors around the world have got it right in their support for clean energy, it should also make a lot of money.
An insurance policy with no regrets, Climate Spectator, 12 Aug 11, Kane Thornton Opponents of the carbon price package will tell you it is a risk to our economy and puts Australia at a competitive disadvantage: in fact, the opposite is true. Continue reading
BHP Billiton in control of South Australian govt policy on uranium mine expansion
nominating that deadline leaves SA in a “terrible negotiating position”.
“All BHP Billiton has to do is hold out and watch the clock ticking down, knowing the premier needs their signature on the deal before October 20,”
South Australia over a barrel on Olympic Dam, Greens say, Herald Sun, AAP, August 08, 2011 BHP BILLITON has South Australia well and truly over a barrel with Olympic Dam expansion negotiations, the Greens say. Continue reading
Hiroshima Day anti nuclear protests in Australia
Australians in nuclear protest at Hiroshima events, Straits Times, SYDNEY 7 Aug 11, – “..Australians turned out on Saturday to rally against nuclear power following Japan’s Fukushima reactor crisis, at events to commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II.
Denis Doherty, from Australia’s Hiroshima Day Committee, said about 400 people turned out to mark the 66th anniversary of the Hiroshima strike in Sydney and there were similar events at major cities across the nation.
Mr Doherty said the event saw its biggest crowds in several years and had special relevance, given the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan which was triggered by March’s earthquake and tsunami.
‘I think people are coming to the realisation that (nuclear) is not the answer to climate change,’ Mr Doherty told AFP.
‘On all sorts of levels I think something is dawning, and if not it should be.’ Mr Doherty said the Fukushima incident had rattled the world, evoking memories of Hiroshima with images of ‘ordinary people’ suffering. ‘People are starting to think, the cost of 30 years of electricity – was it worth giving a whole lot of people radiation-induced cancer and destroying large sections of Japanese countryside?’ he said……..http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_699304.html
Sacrificing South Australia’s environment for Mike Rann’s ego? Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion
South Australians have a right to be confident that a deal has not been fast-tracked for the benefit of an individual’s political legacy, particularly when the environmental ramifications are potentially disastrous,”
Fears of deals over Olympic Dam plan Adelaide Now, Greg Kelton The Advertiser August 05, BHP Billiton’s vast Olympic Dam project at Roxby Downs. ENVIRONMENTAL group Keep The Gulf Clean is worried the Olympic Dam project will be fast-tracked. It fears this will be done to allow Premier Mike Rann to sign off on the deal before he steps down as Premier. Continue reading
Against a bad nuclear cycle – Japanese for Peace
My Voice: Kazuyo Preston Melbourne Weekly, 2 August 11, Kazuyo Preston grew up in Japan knowing little of the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki .People in Australia might think what’s happening with the Fukushima disaster in Japan has nothing to do with them, but 30 per cent of uranium used in Japanese nuclear power plants comes from Australia. Mining that uranium is also causing radiation leaks in the Australian desert. We’re at the start of a bad nuclear cycle…..
A Western Australian Walkout from Uranium Mining
We will demonstrate that we have the choice to walk away from this costly, toxic industry — which produces radioactive waste and weapons usable material — in favour of renewable energy options.
Walk away from uranium mining, Green Left, By Kerrie-Ann Garlick, Perth, July 23, 2011, Footprints for Peace, an international grassroots group that organises walks, bike rides and runs around the world, invites families and people of all ages, background and cultures to come and support traditional owners in their opposition to uranium mining in Western Australia by taking part in the “Walk away from uranium mining” that begins in Wiluna on August 19 and finishes in Perth on October 28. Continue reading
Uranium mining lobby to push S.A. govt to lift Arkaroola mining ban
LOBBY GROUPS SLAM ARKAROOLA MINING BAN, Australian Mining By Cole Latimer 22 July 2011 South Australia’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy (SACOME) and the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) have voiced their disappointment in the Arkaroola mining ban.AUA head, Michael Angwin agreed. Continue reading
Proponents of Muckaty nuclear waste dump show racism and discrimination against outback people
the continuing suggestion that remote Australia is a great place for nuclear waste, sums up what Australians who believe it is a good idea, think of rural Australians, both white and black.
Nuclear waste dump in ‘the middle of nowhere’ – Tennant Creek, Fiona Lake, 22 July 11, If the vitriolic anti-bush comments in relation to the live export ban didn’t convince rural Australians that there is a sizeable slab of urban Australia who despise them (though urban residents rely on rural residents for food & export income), then the recent online forum comments regarding the planned nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek, surely will. Discussions on the merits of the Muckaty station nuclear waste dump has also given voice to the racists who imply aboriginal people aren’t smart enough to figure out for themselves that nuclear waste isn’t something they want in their backyard, at any price. Continue reading
Price on carbon gives Australia the chance to compete in 21st Century world
WA and the nation will be coming to an election. If we actually manage to get past July 1 2012 and have a price on carbon, any future election campaigns will have to deal with the reality that the carbon price (like the GST) didn?t end the world, and indeed, things seem to be getting better.
In those circumstances, all sides of politics will be talking what more they can do to be sustainable, not how to reverse it.
As the boy scouts say: ‘be prepared’, Utility products, By Ray Wills, 22 July 11, “…...tackling the issue of pricing carbon early should not create disadvantage, but rather position the economy to be in the best state to respond to the challenge of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite what the shock jocks say, Australia must be both prepared and competitive in a world that is actually acting to do just that. Continue reading
Doctors welcome Australia’s carbon tax plan as a healthy measure
A small but significant step towards a healthier world, Crikey, July 11, 2011, by Melissa Sweet, It’s time for the health professions to rally around the patient, Dr David Shearman, Honorary Secretary of the Doctors for the Environment Australia,writes:
Doctors for the Environment Australia regards a price on carbon as a public health measure, for climate change is one of the greatest health threats of our time. Continue reading
Climate denialist Monckton’s false claim to be member of UK House of Lords
Lord Monckton is not and never has been a member of the House of Lords….
House of Lords takes Monckton to task, ABC News, 19 July 11, The British House of Lords has taken the extraordinary step of publishing an open letter reiterating that high-profile climate change sceptic Lord Christopher Monckton is not a member of the UK’s Upper House.
The House of Lords published a “cease and desist” letter on its website demanding that Lord Monckton stop claiming to be a member of the Upper House. Continue reading
1 This month
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
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
19 May – Webinar- Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-05-19 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-05-19 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
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 