Ashurst, Paladin, attack this website with legal threats. Reply from Ashurst
Among other things, the Ashurst letter accused the anti-nuclear campaigner of imputing that Mr Walker was ‘’insensitive’’.
In any case, these kinds of threats to muzzle free speech are on the rise. At a time when the mainstream media is under pressure from falling revenues, lawyers are threatening and shutting down websites around the country at an alarming clip.
Anti-nuke campaigner braces for legal blast, The Age, December 19, 2012 Michael West Ashurst is at it again.
Acting on instructions from its clients, the big law firm last month was threatening a farmer who had the hide to express his opinion on electricity prices.
This month it has been instructed to threaten a 75-year old pensioner who has spoken out against the alleged exploitation of African workers by an Australian uranium miner. Noel Christina Macpherson Wauchope, who runs the website www.antinuclear.net under the name Christina Macpherson, told Business Day she was not in a position to hire lawyers.
“I think they must have thought AntiNuclear Australia was a big organisation, but it is just me,” she said. She was particularly worried that the letter of demand said “STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL NOT TO BE PUBLISHED” until we explained that there was no legal basis for expecting confidentiality from somebody who simply bobbed out of the blue with a bunch of threats and told you to keep quiet about it.
If you already had some kind of confidential or contractual arrangement with the other party, it might be different…… The price of Noel Wauchope’s concern for the people Karonga was a long and intimidating letter of demand from Ashurst on behalf of the uranium company Paladin Energy and its general manager of international affairs, Greg Walker. If she did not comply with these demands, warned Ashurst, she would face court action.
Curiously, big companies with more than 10 employees are not permitted to sue for defamation yet the concerns notice sent to Noel Wauchope complains about defamation of Paladin.
…… the Ashurst defamation partner responsible for the letter was unavailable for comment….. and did not respond to
questions. Neither did Ashurst’s public relations department. Paladin chief executive John Borshoff said he was unaware of the
letter. “I’m not aware about a 75-year old lady,” said Borshoff, “All I know is that these NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and they are
absolutely maligning us, and we sent them legal letters”.
Neither was Borshoff aware that Paladin was unable to sue for defamation……
Among other things, the Ashurst letter accused the anti-nuclear campaigner of imputing that Mr Walker was ‘’insensitive’’.
In any case, these kinds of threats to muzzle free speech are on the rise. At a time when the mainstream media is under pressure from falling revenues, lawyers are threatening and shutting down websites around the country at an alarming clip.Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/antinuke-campaigner-braces-for-legal-blast-20121219-2bm74.html#ixzz2FeGIYe9h
Legal Firm Ashurst replies to the article above
27 August 2013
Dear Ms Wauchope
Thank you for giving me ths opportunity to respond to the article which you have posted on your websites. I trust that you will post this letter with equal prominence. Fairfax is no longer publishing it, has accepted that I and Ashurst acted ethically and competently at all times, and has withdrawn and apologised for the suggestions in the article to the contrary.
Your article contains a number of errors and says a number of false and damaging things about me. In particular, when I sent you the letter on 10th December 2012, I had no way of knowing who you were, as we were sending it to you as a domain name registrant. Your site appeared to be published by an organisation. Further, I at all times acted in accordance wit proper legal practise, and my professional obligations to my client.
I hope that you will rethink your decision to continue to publish incorrect and harmful allegations about me.
Kind regards
Ashurst lawyer
Editor’s note: I don’t understand why Fairfax withdrew the article from their online publication, as I thought that the article was true. I understand that the journalist who wrote that article stands by the story and has not accepted the claims made by Ashurst’.
Paladin’s boss John Borschoff rails against ”diabolical” state of uranium market
Paladin managing director John Borshoff could do little on Friday but launch yet another speech about how unreasonably low the uranium price has been, labelling it ”diabolical”, ”extremely depressed” and ”of great concern
Paladin still paying price of uranium freeze August 31, 2013 SMH, Peter Ker Resources reporter Two years after Fukushima, nuclear energy companies remain troubled. The first year after the Fukushima disaster was always going to be tough for the uranium sector, but few would have thought the second year would be even worse.
The spot price for uranium hit eight-year lows this week, and now stands 30 per cent lower than a year ago, when the industry was supposedly at its nadir.
Most of the Japanese nuclear power stations that were turned off after the deadly tsunami of March 2011 remain idle, and the prospect of new demand emerging in developing countries such as China has yet to eventuate.
While all uranium stocks have suffered over the past 30 months, few companies epitomise the struggles of the sector more than Paladin Energy, which has almost been decimated since it was fetching $5 a share on the day before the Fukushima tragedy. Continue reading
Tony Abbott prepared to break his pledge on reducing carbon emissions
Tony Abbott willing to break emissions pledge over funding hole The Age September 2, Jonathan Swan Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has branded the election a referendum on the carbon tax and said it would be “unimaginable” for a defeated Labor Party to stop him repealing the tax.
Mr Abbott also confirmed categorically – for the first time – that he would break the Coalition’s pledge on greenhouse reduction targets if it cost more money than he had budgeted for.
The Opposition Leader spent about 15 minutes of a 20 minute address to the National Press Club hammering Labor on the carbon tax. If elected the Coalition would repeal the tax within its first year in government, Mr Abbott promised………
Mr Abbott confirmed he was prepared to break the Coalition’s pledge to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent by 2020 (on the levels recorded in 2000). Estimates by Treasury and independent modelling companies suggest that the Coalition’s $3.2 billion Direct Action policy will fall several billion dollars short of reaching the targets.
“The bottom line is we will spend as much as we have budgeted, no more and no less,” Mr Abbott said. : http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/tony-abbott-willing-to-break-emissions-pledge-over-funding-hole-20130902-2t0fh.html#ixzz2dnJ1CXjy
Democratic Labor Party’s Geraldine Gonsalvez comes out swinging for a nuclear weapons free world
Geraldine Gonsalvez, 2 Sept 13, I am running as a candidate in the electorate of Bruce. As you all know how passionate I am about a peaceful toxic free world free of nuclear weaponsand weapons of mass destruction. You can be rest assured I will be active and vocal if by a miracle I do get elected to federal parliament towards this cause. This is a very busy week for me given my limited resources.
South Australia on track to lead the world in renewable energy use
it would make South Australia the most advanced industrialised economy in the world in the adoption of variable renewables, and a test case for the incorporation of such energy sources into a broader grid.
South Australia heads to 50% renewables within a decade, (excellent graphs) http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/south-australia-heads-to-50-renewables-within-a-decade-21296 REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 2 September 2013 Already, one in five houses in South Australia has rooftop solar PV, and a new AEMO document predicts this could treble by 2022. With wind already supplying 27% of power, and new wind farms coming on, the state will likely have 50% of wind and solar within 10 years.
The state of South Australia is emerging as one the leading regions in the world in the take-up of variable renewable energy sources such as wind energy and rooftop solar PV, and could be the first industrial economy to reach 50 per cent variable renewable generation.
According to figures included in a report by the Australian Energy Market Operator, that could happen well within a decade. That would make it the most advanced industrialised economy in the world in the adoption of variable renewables.
In a special report on the state released late last week, AEMO noted that 31 per cent of the state’s energy consumption was met by wind and solar in 2012/13, with more than 1,250MW of large scale wind farms, and a further 400MW of solar PV installed on one out of every five homes in the state. Continue reading
Australia’s old coal power stations refitted as renewable energy plants
Old power stations fired-up by renewable energy http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/9/2/renewable-energy/old-power-stations-fired-renewable-energy By a staff reporter , 2 Sept 13, The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has contracted Parsons Brinckerhoff to examine the potential for use of renewable energy by existing fossil fuel power stations through hybridisation in Australia. For example coal-fired power stations can burn biomass material such as wood in conjunction with coal. Also it is possible for solar thermal mirrors to heat water for steam turbines in conjunction with gas or coal.
The study will assess 100MW or larger fossil fuel plants that are grid connected. The study evaluates all applicable plants for resource and technology suitability and fatal flaws. The potential plants will then be subjected to a multi-criteria assessment process to see if there are any characteristics that rule out renewable hybridisation and to identify the total expected opportunity of hybridisation.
ARENA will host a workshop on 26 September to gather views from stakeholders on important challenges, opportunities and issues related to hybridisation. To register for the workshop see:https://arena-hybridworkshop.eventbrite.com.au/.
ARENA anticipates using the report findings as an input in the design of any potential strategic initiative in this area.
In Northern Territory electorate, Greens, Labor and Coalition candidates all oppose nuclear waste dump
Solomon candidates against nuclear dump Bigpond News, August 30, 2013 Labor, the coalition and the Australian Greens rarely agree on anything, but the three candidates for Solomon are united in their opposition of a proposed nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory.
At a community forum hosted by the ABC in Darwin on Friday, the candidates also debated marriage equality, voluntary euthanasia, housing affordability, hospitals, and schools funding.
Country Liberal Party incumbent Natasha Griggs, who holds the seat by a thin 1.7 per cent margin, said she crossed the floor on the nuclear issue to stand up for Territorians.
Greens candidate Todd Williams said: ‘The NT is viewed as easy and open and that can be foisted upon to store nuclear waste … against the wishes of traditional owners.’…….. http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Election-2013/2013/08/30/Solomon_candidates_against_nuclear_dump_901529.html
Paladin Energy’s John Borschoff puts a brave face on uranium market’s disaster
‘Price hikes will be severe’ And uranium’s rise will come sooner, not later, says Paladin’s John Borshoff Resource Clips, by Greg Klein, 31 Aug 13,
With uranium selling well under $40, “no one will or can move forward with growth, never mind maintaining current production,” said Paladin Energy TSX:PDN managing director/CEO John Borshoff. While summarizing his company’s fiscal 2013 he expressed incredulity about the uranium market’s “absolute absurdity” of low prices despite looming shortages.
He also predicted a dramatic change, emphasizing “the price can only go up sooner than some think.
”…… Addressing a conference call from his Western Australia office on August 30 (August 29 in the Western Hemisphere), Borshoff acknowledged “an extremely challenging year, what with the uranium price falling from about $50 in July 2012 to $35 this month and currently sitting on an eight-year low.”
He attributed this month’s fall in share value to the uranium price, a general weakness in world markets “still waiting by and large for Japanese nuclear re-starts post-Fukushima” and uncertainty about the sale of a minority interest in Paladin’s Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia…….
There’s absolutely no incentive for miners or juniors to develop anything today in anticipation of this shortage. This time around, prices will have to rise and stay there on a sustained basis before the time of the shortfall for the developers to commit, and the end user needs to realize this fact.”
Borshoff said new development will remain stalled “until a price of at least $70 or higher is reached to galvanize some action. It’s only at this price level, and above, that sufficient capital for new development can be raised.”…… http://resourceclips.com/2013/08/29/%E2%80%98price-hikes-will-be-severe%E2%80%99/
Uranium miner Paladin’s financial loss twice as bad this year as last year
Struggling Paladin records $471m loss Canberra Times, August 30, 2013 Peter Ker Uranium miner Paladin has more than doubled last year’s losses with a $US420.9 million ($471.2 million) net loss for the 2013 financial year.
Despite increasing production and improving revenue, low uranium prices continue to take a toll on the company, prompting $US335.9 million worth of asset write downs.
Shares in Paladin last traded at 53 cents, meaning the stock has almost been decimated – in the literal sense of the word – since the Fukushima nuclear crisis destroyed confidence in the sector…… The Singaporean Government’s investment corporation is now the company’s biggest shareholder.
Paladin boss John Borshoff acknowledged that the recent failure to sell a stake in the company’s flagship mine was the major disappointment of the year, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/earnings-season/struggling-paladin-records-471m-loss-20130830-2sulp.html#ixzz2dZwCtmc0
Newcastle Independent candidate calls for renewable energy in Hunter Valley
Independent calls for renewable energy manufacturing in Hunter Manufacturers Monthly, 30 August, 2013 Matt McDonald The former Kurri Kurri Aluminium Smelter site should be transformed into a hub of renewable energy manufacturing.
As the Maitland mercury reports, this is the opinion of Independent candidate for Newcastle Rod Holding.
Mr Holding believes the smelter site wNDIDATE CALLS FOR ould be a good starting point to his plan to transform other industrial areas in the electorate into renewable energy manufacturing hubs.
“It wouldn’t take a lot of money for the factories to be transformed so they could make generators or turbines,” Mr Holding said.
“There’s no reason why Newcastle can’t start exporting this technology to get away from the global warming fossil fuel disaster that’s ahead of us.”
He said that the plan would create local jobs, boost the regional economy, and also provide the Hunter with an alternative export to coal. Mr Holding said that, if elected, he would probably vote with the Greens in the House of Representatives…. http://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/independent-calls-for-renewable-energy-manufacturi
Australia’s clean solar energy revolution is well underway
It’s in everyone’s interest to generate as much renewable energy as possible – except existing power providers that rely on burning coal or gas
Money trail backs the clean energy revolution, SMH, Ben Cubby, Peter Hannam 31 Aug 13 Across Australia, thousands of rooftops have been turned into solar-power money generators. Here’s a bright idea: what if, instead of paying for solar panels to keep your electricity bills down, you asked a solar company to put them on your roof for free, then paid them back with excess energy that you didn’t need?
What we are seeing is a transition from high carbon to a low carbon system.
If that sounds fanciful, bear in mind that a decade ago there were just a few hundred working solar-powered home in the country, run mostly at significant personal expense by enthusiasts. By the end of last year, 936,810 solar systems were installed, and the number cruised past 1 million earlier this year.
Slowly but surely, renewable energy is eating into the business model of the fossil-fuel-burning energy generators. Those in the industry liken it to the effect the internet is having on publishing: disrupting revenue, overturning tradition and, literally, tilting the balance of power in favour of the customer, rather than big corporations. Continue reading
Greg Hunt (Liberal)’s carbon reduction plan based on dodgy facts
Fact Check, 30 Aug 13,
- “……..The claim: Greg Hunt says CSIRO research shows carbon emissions can be reduced by 20 per cent over 40 years using nature, soils and trees.
- The verdict: Mr Hunt quotes the figure for potential abatement accurately, but he leaves out the uncertainties and practical challenges in a large body of research and articles published by its scientists…..” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-30/greg-hunt-not-giving-full-story-climate-research/4923258
Abbott’s Direct Action climate plan will cost $35 billion more than budgeted for.
Report casts more doubt on Direct Action HERALD SUN, NICK PERRY AAP AUGUST 30, 2013
AN Abbott government would need to spend around $35 billion more than it has budgeted on its climate change policy to deliver its promised cuts to carbon emissions by 2020.
The findings from energy advisory firm RepuTex raise more doubts about whether the coalition’s Direct Action plan can reduce carbon emissions by five per cent by 2020 given the funding allocated……
Uncertainty over Liberal Coalition’s plans to cut renewable energy incentives
”What we’re heading into is a period of sustained high volatility in the industry. There is a high possibility that, if this is not managed correctly, we will all end up with much higher costs than we could have had.
”You can transform the energy system in a non-disruptive fashion or in a disruptive fashion … But ultimately it is going to be transformed.”
Money trail backs the clean energy revolution, SMH, Ben Cubby, Peter Hannam 31 Aug 13 “…….At present, the Coalition has promised to abolish the carbon price, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Climate Change Authority – which will recommend the greenhouse gas reduction targets that will in turn influence renewable energy growth.
This week it also announced that it would cut funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency – an independent group that oversees about $3.2 billion in renewables investment, and which the opposition has previously said would be retained.
The exact nature of the newly pledged cuts remains obscure. ”There will be some savings over the forward estimates – those details will be out with the full costings before the election,” a spokeswoman said. Continue reading
Liberal Coalition flounders, – its Renewable Energy Policy based on bad advice
the Coalition – and in particular its energy spokesman, Ian Macfarlane – needs little encouragement to argue against wind and solar. But such decisions should not be based on false premises.
The dangerous thinking behind Coalition renewable energy policy (excellent charts and graphs) REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 29 August 2013 The Coalition’s admission this week that it had thrown the Australian Renewable Energy Agency into the basket of climate change and green energy programs to be cut if elected should not have taken people by surprise, because they have been hinting at it for a few months.
But it does raise questions about where the Coalition is heading with its energy policies, and why there appears to be such deliberate moves to wind back support mechanisms for wind energy and solar, and other emerging renewable technologies.
Part of the problem may be in the quality of the advice it is receiving. Many in the Coalition defer to the Institute of Public Affairs when asked about climate change and renewables policies. The IPA, of course, is a right-wing think tank 
that doesn’t accept the science of climate change, and argues against climate and clean energy policies.
More recently, Greg Hunt has been using the work of Bjorn Lomborg to justify Direct Action. Lomborg, as we discussed in last month’s piece, is known for downplaying the dangers of climate change, for arguing that renewable energy should not be deployed until costs are reduced in research labs, and for suggesting that wacky “geo-engineering” schemes such as cloud whitening should be priorities.
That may explain why the Coalition is now targeting ARENA, whose job it is to help take technologies out of the lab and actually deploy them. The Coalition also intends to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corp, which plays a similar role, as well as the Climate Change Authority, which conducted last year’s review of the Renewable Energy Target. The Coalition wants the RET to be reviewed yet again, but not by the CCA. The uncertainty is already causing Australia to fall down the ranks of investment attractiveness.
Another document that may be influential in Coalition thinking was circulated in recent months by one of its so-called “star” candidates, Angus Taylor, the anti-wind campaigner who is seeking election in the seat of Hume in NSW. Continue reading
1 This month
17 October, Free Public Talk on Nuclear Issues in South Australia
David Noonan will speak on public interest concerns over the new Roxby Downs Indenture Act 2026 on BHP copper-uranium mining and ore processing in SA, and on how AUKUS may face SA with a High-Level nuclear waste agenda.
Dr Jim Green will discuss international developments in the field of nuclear power including ‘small modular reactors’ and Generation 4 ‘advanced’ nuclear reactor concepts.
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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