Time for Australia to manage its own radioactive wastes, not import others’
In October 2011 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that not only was Australian uranium sold to the inept electric utility TEPCO, but it was Australian yellowcake that was inside the reactor complex when it failed.
The two major parties have ignored repeated calls – including from the UN Secretary General – for a post-Fukushima review of Australia’s high-risk, low-return uranium industry.
Time to stop the (uranium) boats, SMH, Dave Sweeney, 28 Aug 13, SMH, August 27, 2013 Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke gained some airtime in the crowded pre-election public arena with his well-worn call for Australia to host the world’s radioactive waste. In the shadow of Fukushima it would be appropriate for the mantra of “stop the boats” to apply to those departing Darwin and Adelaide carrying uranium oxide, risk and radiation.
At the very least we need all our politicians to commit to a comprehensive and public review of the costs and consequences of Australia’s controversial uranium trade.
While it’s unlikely that many politicians will be enthused by the idea ahead of an election, it is timely to raise serious questions about the issue of radioactive waste in Australia. Not to open the door to more from overseas but rather to talk about how we might responsibly manage our own. Continue reading
Australia very much involved in nuclear deterrence, and nuclear weapons worldwide
ICAN AUSTRALIA SHOWS THE WAY TO ABOLISH NUKES BY NEENA BHANDARI | IDN-INDEPTH NEWSANALYSIS, 28 AUG 13, SYDNEY (IDN)
“……..Doctrine of extended nuclear deterrence While Australia doesn’t have any nuclear weapons, it subscribes to the doctrine of extended nuclear deterrence under the United States alliance. The supposed protection afforded by the US nuclear weapons is seen as key to Australia’s national security. It also has almost 40 per cent of the world’s known uranium reserves and supplies 19 per cent of the world market.
All of Australia’s uranium is exported, including to countries who continue to produce nuclear weapons. TheAustralian Conservation Fund has consistently opposed uranium mining and worked to highlight the threats it poses to the environment, sensitive ecosystems, Indigenous cultures and local communities.
In May this year, ICAN Australia launched a booklet entitled Disarmament Double-Speak assessing Australia’s record on nuclear weapons, its continuing support for the United States extended nuclear deterrence, its resistance to a global ban on nuclear weapons, the inadequacy of safeguards on uranium exports and investments in nuclear arms companies.
Today, there are at least 20,000 nuclear weapons worldwide, around 3,000 of them on launch-ready alert. The potential power of these would roughly equate to 150,000 Hiroshima bombs. Sixty- eight years on since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the need to develop a legally binding tool to prohibit and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons is more than ever before. [IDN-InDepthNews – August 27, 2013] The writer’s previous articles on IDN: http://www.indepthnews.info/index.php/search?searchword=Neena%20Bhandari&ordering=newest&searchphrase=all
2013 IDN-InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters http://www.indepthnews.info/index.php/global-issues/1742-ican-australia-shows-the-way-to-abolish-nukes
June 2014 date for Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan court hearing
Date set for court fight over Muckaty nuclear waste dump http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/court-date-set-for-nuclear-waste-dump-fight/4912730 26 Aug 2013, A date has been set in the Federal Court case of Aboriginal traditional owners fighting plans to use their land as a nuclear waste dump.
The site on Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory is the Federal Government’s preferred site for Australia’s first radioactive waste facility. Beyond Nuclear Initiative spokeswoman Natalie Wasley says the month-long trial has been listed for June 2014.
“After eight years that’s a big relief for traditional owners and the community who have had this nuclear cloud hanging over their heads,” she said.
She says submissions being made this week will determine whether pre-trial evidence needs to be taken. Ms Wasley says those involved are hoping the trial would be held near the proposed site.
“It’s very important for people that they give the best evidence possible, and of course that it’s close to the site that’s being discussed,” she said.
Surge in support for the Australian Greens
Essential: Greens surge keeps the major parties deadlocked CRIKEY, BERNARD KEANE | AUG 26, 2013 AN UNEXPECTED SURGE TO THE GREENS HAS SEEN LABOR AND THE COALITION’S PRIMARY VOTE DROP, LEAVING THE ELECTION OUTCOME IN THE BALANCE.
Labor’s primary vote has fallen markedly, according to new polling from Essential Research, but to the benefit of the Greens rather than than the opposition. It leaves the two-party preferred on 50:50 less than a fortnight from the election…..(registered readers only) http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/08/26/essential-greens-surge-keeps-the-major-parties-deadlocked/
Vote Compass finds confusion in Australian electorate about climate change action
Climate change looms as challenge for all parties http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/antony-green-vote-compass-climate-change/4909774 You need to go to this site to see details explained in excellent graphics By Antony Green 26 Aug 2013, “……By proposing to bring forward the market price mechanism to 2014, the Rudd government has tried to address the cost of living issues associated with the carbon tax. It has also tried to return the issue to again being about climate change, rather than tax and the economy.
The change of wording from tax to price has not removed the political divisions created by the issue, as revealed by the results of questions on the issue in Vote Compass.
Vote Compass put the proposition to respondents that “the federal government should put a price on carbon” and asked them to agree or disagree.
Of the more than 800,000 respondents so far, about 400,000 answered this question as well as providing the demographic data that allows the sample to be weighted against the 2011 Australian Census.
Overall the survey revealed the electorate leaning toward supporting a carbon price, as shown below. (see graphs) Continue reading
70,000 jobs for New South Wales, in a positive renewable energy plan – Riverina Greens candidate
Greens 100% renewable energy plan http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-27/greens-10025-renewable-energy-plan/4913920 27 Aug 13 The Greens Candidate for the Riverina says the party’s plan to make NSW electricity supply 100 per cent renewable – isn’t a pipe dream.
The Greens Ros Pragnell was joined by New South Wales Upper House MP John Kaye for the community launch of Solar panels at her home yesterday. Ms Pragnell says the party’s renewable goal is achievable within the next 15 years and will offer significant economic return for the Riverina.
She says renewable energy is the way of the future and residents should take advantage of solar power. “If we phase out fossil fuel electricity and invest in wind power, solar technologies and and energy efficiency we can reap benefits of being a world leader in the clean energy economy,” she said.”Now we believe that’s not a pipedream its possible it’s affordable and it’s essential.”
Ros Pragnell says with the number of jobs in the fossil fuels industry declining – it’s time to make the states electricity supply entirely renewable.
“Fossil fuels are becoming much more expensive to be able to extract, with a greater mechanisation you just don’t have the bodies on the ground to work it,” she said.”With renewable energies we create jobs there’s manufacturing there’s retail, servicing and it’s estimated that 70,000 jobs in NSW could be created.
Chris Sobey, Greens candidate, advocates renewable energy for the Murray River region
Renewable energy ‘in 15 years’ Border Mail By DAVID JOHNSTON Aug. 27, 2013 NSW Greens MP John Kaye yesterday used the launch of the campaign of Farrer candidate, Chris Sobey, to promote the party’s push to make the state electricity supply 100 per cent renewable.
Dr Kaye and second-time candidate Mrs Sobey used the backdrop of the Murray River to sell the virtues of a 100 per cent renewable energy future within 15 years…… Mrs Sobey contested the 2007 federal poll and stood in the NSW election in the same year.
“We have let the health of the river go for too long,” she said. “The news from the climate people is shocking. “The extreme is going to become the normal. “The cost of bushfires, drought and flood relief in the long run all increases the gross domestic product.
“We should be prepared to use debt to change things over to renewable energy and increase the GDP by building things.” http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1733034/renewable-energy-in-15-years/?
Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy in harmony with ARENA and Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Details of the policy include an important role for the existing Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). It will be allocated the funds to manage a competitive tender program whereby projects that can demonstrate that their business plans are feasible will receive financial and logistical support as they need it through stages of business development and project implementation. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), which currently facilitates large-scale clean energy development, is also expected to play a key role in enabling communities to get their projects off the ground sooner.
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13,Originally published on The Community Power Report.by Manny Pasqualini A huge step toward establishing a viable community-owned renewable energy sector in Australia has been taken with The Australian Greens launching their Community Renewable Energy policy in a joint media event co-hosted by the Fund Community Energy campaign and representatives of inner-Melbourne’s community solar projects, including Moreland, Yarra, and LIVE Community Solar.
Announced on the 21st August at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market, the ‘Australian Community Renewable Energy Program’ pledges $100 million over 5 years as seed-funding for feasibility grants, project management and specialist expertise to be accessed by emerging locally-owned and operated clean energy projects.
Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne spoke of the initiative’s potential to give local communities the power to generate their own power by opening up the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Australians to own and benefit from renewable energy. Continue reading
Community Energy Campaign outlines what Greens policy would achieve
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13 “……..Nicky Ison from the Fund Community Energy Campaign welcomed the policy announcement, saying that $100 million in seed-funding has the potential to unlock over $1 billion of investment in communities around Australia. Based on economic modelling commissioned by the Fund Community Energy Campaign and undertaken by Marsden Jacob Associates, The Greens’ $100 million fund would:
- Shepherd more than 250 community owned renewable projects from inception to the investment-ready stage over the next five years
- Unlock over $1 billion worth of investment in communities around Australia
- Install 656MW of community renewable generation
- Offset 1300 kilotonnes of carbon emissions
“This can unleash 1 billion dollars of investment – that’s investment that people like you and I could make, as mums and dads, as renters, as farmers, and the list goes on.” Ms Ison said.
“These projects enable communities to rejuvenate their local economies through keeping investment in their local communities, to be able to tackle climate change at the local level, and finally to be able to address and take charge of their own community’s electricity bills.”
“We need to get projects to a point where they’re investment ready, so that the communities can then invest in themselves, and that’s what this policy announced by The Greens can do.” Ms Ison said.
Fund Community Energy campaigners have met with representatives of all major Australian political parties in recent months as part of a strong nationwide campaign calling for a $50 million fund to support communities through the difficult early stages of renewable energy project development. The campaign applauds the $100 million proposal and calls on all parties to follow suit and recognise the wide-ranging benefits that community renewable energy can provide for all Australians. http://cleantechnica.com/2013/08/26/australian-greens-community-renewable-energy-policy/#VAo2bjRwV0LjliDL.99
Tony Abbott would sell Australia out, in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) ?
Australia’s Labor government has said it would not accept any provisions that would allow corporations to sue Australian governments. The Coalition has given no such commitment.
Tobacco clause might burn free trade agreement http://www.theage.com.au/business/tobacco-clause-might-burn-free-trade-agreement-20130825-2sjuk.html#ixzz2d8J4g3P9 Peter Martin. August 26, 2013 The timetable for completing the world’s largest free trade agreement is slipping as negotiators in Brunei express concern at US proposals to give tobacco companies the power to sue governments and to weaken government control of state-owned enterprises. Continue reading
Crippling losses for US nuclear weapons company’s uranium mine in Australia
Fukushima fallout for uranium stings Heathgate Resources Financial Review, SIMON EVANS, 26 Aug 13 Heathgate Resources, the owner of the Beverley uranium mine in northern South Australia, has suffered losses totalling a whopping $60 million over the past two years.
Heathgate has operated Beverley since 2000, but has been hit hard in its past two financial years by a plunge in global uranium prices.Beverley is one of four uranium mines in Australia, and Heathgate is also involved in the nearby Four Mile uranium project, set to become the nation’s fifth uranium mine as regulatory approvals move a step closer.
Uranium prices fell by more than 50 per cent after the meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan in March 2011, and have failed to recover . Heathgate Resources made a loss of $34.5 million in calendar 2012 according to its latest financial statements lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
This followed a loss of $25.6 million in 2011.
Heathgate’s total revenue in calendar 2012 was $59 million, according to its financial statements, a substantial slump from the 2011 when total revenue was $84.6 million.
Heathgate president Craig Bartels declined to comment on the results and the operating performance.
Heathgate is owned by the US-based global nuclear giant General Atomics, as is one of Heathgate’s stablemates, Quasar Resources, which holds a 75 per cent stake in the Four Mile project. The other 25 per cent of Four Mile is owned by ASX-listed Alliance Resources, but the two groups are still involved in court action over past disagreements about how best to develop the resource…… http://www.afr.com/p/australia2-0/fukushima_fallout_for_uranium_stings_7q6Q2t7EXWB2IaLsOu5w0L
Depressing lack of Liberal-Labor interest in climate change, as Murdoch media spreads fear of The Greens
the Greens are seen as the main enemy of the major political parties.
Abbott in particular is locking in a higher level of fossil fuel dependence
Smoke and mirrors, with no policy on smoke The Age, August 26, 2013 Kenneth Davidson Senior columnist In a campaign of slogans and scare tactics, environmental issues are dismissed. “…….., the Coalition is having a field day selling fear, aided and abetted by the Murdoch press. This too, is partially the responsibility of Labor, which changed the media ownership rules in the 1980s, paving the way for News Limited to get control of the Herald and Weekly Times group and about 70 per cent of metropolitan daily newspaper circulation.
But the most depressing aspects of this election are the failure of the major parties to develop a coherent policy to deal with climate change, and their willingness to co-operate in squeezing the Greens out of the political process when the Greens are the only 
party prepared to confront the issue.
The draft of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, leaked last week, is truly terrifying. Reports of the draft state that the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions ”at or above current rates” have put the world on track to become up to 5 degrees hotter and that there is a 95 per cent likelihood that human greenhouse gas emissions are driving the rise in extreme weather events now being observed around the world.
The implication of 5 degrees warming is an extremely hostile environment for the biota, de-population and, not to put too fine a point on it, the end of civilisation (including the economy) as we know it. Continue reading
Wind power bonanza from windy weather in South Australia, NSW, and Tasmania
Blustery Weather Generated A Wind Power Bonanza http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3907 25 Aug 13, Wind farms in Australia’s National Electricity Market cranked a record amount of power for the week beginning August 11.
During the period, 47% of South Australia’s power was supplied by the wind and Victoria’s wind farms contributed 10% to that state’s electricity needs. Tasmania and New South Wales had their second and third highest levels of wind power generation respectively.
While the blustery conditions caused havoc for emergency services, it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good as they say.
“The positive was the large amount of clean energy that was produced by the wind farms on Australia’s southern coastline, breaking records for the amount of wind power generated in a single week in South Australia and Victoria,” said Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh.
“What this shows is that wind power is working. It generates very useful amounts of power and also helps farmers who host wind turbines by providing them with income.” Mr. Marsh says based on data sourced from the Australian Electricity Market Operator (AEMO); wind power provided a record 7.6 per cent of all power generated across the entire National Electricity Market during that week; the equivalent of supplying more than 2.3 million homes.
Under normal conditions, South Australia’s wind farms contribute about one quarter of the state’s total electricity production. In 2011/12, wind generationblew past coal to become the second largest source of electricity in South Australia. The state, which has around 40% of Australia’s installed wind capacity, reached its target of generating 20% of electricity from renewable energy in 2011.
South Australia now has its sights set on producing one third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Like its previous target, that is expected to be met well ahead of schedule.
Why is old Has-Been Hawke pushing the (illegal) nuclear waste importing plan?
Greens condemn plan to turn Australia into the world’s nuclear waste dump Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear policy, Senator Scott Ludlam. 24 August 2013. The Greens have strongly rejected the proposal by former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke to turn Australia into a dump for the world’s nuclear waste.
Greens spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the plan was “the worst imaginable way to raise revenue”.
“What Mr. Hawke is proposing is criminal activity. The Parliament passed Greens amendments last year to prohibit the importation of nuclear waste.
“Mr Hawke seems to think the way to fill the Budget hole is to fill a hole in Australia with the world’s nuclear waste. The Labor Party and the Coalition must rule out this dangerous proposal immediately.
“Having seen both the Howard and Rudd-Gillard Governments make an absolute mess of trying to force a dump for Australian nuclear waste on Tenant Creek in the Northern Territory, heaven help us if they were trying to deal with nuclear waste from around the world as well.
“The question is – is Mr Hawke expressing this view as a hobby or as an earner on the side? If he has any commercial interests in a waste management company he should make that clear now
Greens leader Christine Milne shows strength in difficult election situation
Monash University’s Paul Strangio says that now, more than a year after succeeding Brown, Milne has established her identity as the party’s political leader………
After Julia Gillard’s demise, Milne is also the only female national political leader. She notes that the two big parties are now led by married men, each with three children, both of whom go to church on Sunday. ”People who have difficulty with women in leadership are quite satisfied now that the stars are aligned and everything’s back as it should be,” says Milne. ”That’s a tragedy in Australia because women in leadership have a lot to offer.”
Her leadership of the Greens, she explains, is therefore also about making it easier for the next generation of women to lead
Tenacious Milne walks the thin green line SMH, Shane Green Associate Editor of The Age 24 Aug 13 Christine Milne takes her seat for another flight on the campaign trail. Behind is a woman about her age with her elderly mother. As the flight progresses, the younger woman taps Milne on the shoulder and passes a note, written by her mother.
”You’ve got my vote, Christine,” it reads, instantly providing Milne the personal fillip that is intended. Yet its true significance becomes apparent only when the elderly woman gets up to make her way to the toilet. She is struggling, obviously battling a debilitating physical disease. The note of support would have taken half the flight to write.
The Greens leader is deeply touched. It’s a powerful and poignant reminder of the responsibility we place on those who seek to lead us, and the importance of delivering. In an era of pervasive cynicism about politics and politicians, this is a telling moment.
”I’ve always stood up for what I’ve believed in regardless of whether it’s popular or not. And it means a great deal when you have a very elderly person saying to you, I’m going to vote for you,” says Milne. ”All that investment of trust from someone like that really matters.”…….
These kids are great, she says, but her party has supporters across the generations. Among the youthful enthusiasts are two greyer heads, for boomers have also come to the aid of the party.
All of which will be needed in an election that will not only be a fight for survival for Bandt, made all the harder by the Liberal decision to preference Labor above the Greens. It will also be the first big electoral test for the Greens under Milne’s leadership. 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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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
