Bob Hawke sees $$$$s in nuclear waste importing for Australia
Hawke drops a nuclear-tinged poll bombshell SMH, August 24, 2013 Susan Wyndham If anyone is looking for a policy to liven up the election campaign, Bob Hawke has an idea: make Australia the repository of the world’s nuclear waste.”It’s a no-brainer,” he says. ”If you’ve got the safest geological sites in the world, why haven’t you got the moral responsibility to make them available?”
Mr Hawke has made the argument before, and it’s the one issue he raises when asked if he has achieved all he hoped for in the 22 years since he was prime minister.
”It could change the whole economic future of this country,” he says ”We have the world’s safest geological sites in the Northern Territory and north-west Western Australia. We could make the world a safer place and totally change our fiscal position by creating an enormous continuing source of income, then you’d apply some of that income to environmental and Aboriginal causes. But no one’s got the guts.”……….http://www.smh.com.au/national/hawke-drops-a-nucleartinged-poll-bombshell-20130823-2sh7p.html#ixzz2cujX6dn5
Northern Territory Aboriginal candidate Barbara Shaw aims to end The Intervention
Born and raised in an Alice Springs town camp, Barbara Shaw, an Aboriginal activist and mother of two, is challenging Snowdon on the Australian Greens ticket.
Speaking about the intervention, Shaw, 37, told Al Jazeera, “All I have seen is racism and disempowerment of our people. It’s the old assimilation policy back again, to control how we live.”
Shaw opposes the intervention, which continues under the government rubric of Stronger Futures, and agrees it remains a major source of disaffection for voters. “The Greens are calling for a five-year review of Stronger Futures. It was supposed to create jobs in the bush, but it hasn’t. We stand for sustainable communities and families and eventually to bring an end to Stronger Futures, to skill up people in the bush so they can run their own communities.”……
Aborigines sour on Australia’s Labor Party Angry over federal intervention in the Northern Territory, indigenous voters could sway upcoming polls. Aljazeera, Glenn Morrison 22 Aug 2013 “……largely missing from this picture is a tragedy that has been unfolding at the heart of the nation for more than a century – the plight of Australia’s indigenous people, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Often a convenient platform for domestic political grandstanding, indigenous Australia receives scant attention in frontline election coverage
The electoral district of Lingiari, which comprises most of Australia’s largely undeveloped Northern Territory, is emerging as a litmus test for the political leanings of Aborigines and whites alike. Once considered a safe seat for the centre-left Australian Labor Party, incumbent Warren Snowdon’s future is now in doubt, according to political analyst Professor Rolf Gerritsen of the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University. Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal Coalition selling out our children’s future, to get support of coal industry
Coalition out of step on renewable energy http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1726125/coalition-out-of-step-on-renewable-energy/?cs=64 By Michael Weadon Aug. 23, 2013
The renewable energy sector now employs more people than the car industry with a fair proportion in the Ballarat area.
Unfortunately the development of clean energy and the associated benefits for Ballarat and the globe as a whole are being held back by the promises of Mr Abbott’s coalition.
Why does the coalition support a policy that is not supported by scientists, economists and business leaders?
I can only guess that the coalition are willing to sell our children’s future to win the support of the now dying coal industry. A myopic view at best.
Australian government study finds renewable energy economically viable
Greens leader Christine Milne described it as ”astonishing” that the government appeared to bury both the ”stunning” study and its summary findings.
”It puts a wrecking ball through claims by the Coalition and Labor that we can’t go a lot harder and set a 90 per cent target by 2030,” Senator Milne said. The operator should expand its study and release the modelling. ”Further work is required to factor in some costs and the many benefits of renewable energy that this first study ignored,” Senator Milne said
Renewable energy study tips viable reality by 2030 The Age, August 24, 2013 Peter Hannam Carbon economy editor Renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro power could supply electricity at prices comparable to fossil fuels by 
2030, according to a study commissioned by the federal government.
Modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator shows that 100 per cent of power from clean energy would be technically viable by 2030 – although with a price tag ranging from $219 billion to $252 billion.
But a Community Summary of the report published this month without fanfare by the government has rekindled debate by stating that 100 per cent renewable power may cost no more than fossil fuels.
Based on the operator’s study and other modelling by Treasury, the CSIRO and the University of New South Wales, the summary concluded: ”Indicative wholesale electricity prices generally fall within a reasonably narrow range of around $100-$130 per megawatt-hour in 2030, and around $110-$150 per MWh in 2050
Consumers, who have seen electricity prices rise about 70 per cent over the past four years, may find the price trajectory – whether based on renewable energy or not – surprising. NSW and Victoria now have wholesale power prices of just under $60 per MWh. Still, the findings have cheered clean energy advocates, not least because curbing carbon emissions from the power sector – accounting for about 35 per cent of Australia’s total – would make big inroads in meeting climate change goals.
”It’s kind of incredible that we haven’t modelled (a 100 per cent goal) before now, given that the costs are basically the same,” said Jenny Riesz, a research associate at the UNSW’s centre for energy and environmental markets.
Dr Riesz is part of a UNSW team now examining the potential for additional benefits from a transition to much more renewable energy. Continue reading
Wind power could prove to be an economic boom for Cloncurry, Queensland
The project, expected to cost the sire $8 to $9 million dollars, already has support from local miner CuDeco and three potential pilot program sites will be tested over the next few weeks.
Wind power the future for Cloncurry Yes 2 renewables, n August 23, 2013 by martanieczyporuk Even in the far reaches of Australia, the benefits of wind energy are gaining interest among communities. The small town of Cloncurry can see a big future in wind. The North West Starreports on the Mayor’s proposal: ….
Friends of the Earth Australia renewable projects coordinator Leigh Ewbank said the ‘visionary’ idea could see the shire follow in the footsteps of a small French village that increased their budget from $573,000 to $3.29 million after installing 11 wind turbines.
“Income generated by a wind farm in the small French village of Afrons has resulted in a five-fold increase in the town’s budget,” he said. Continue reading
Independent candidate on NSW Central coast calls on Aborigines to fight Wallarah 2 coal mine
Independent Robertson candidate asks Local Aboriginal Land Council to “do more” to stop Wallarah 2 Mine http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-23/indpendent-robertson-candidate-asks-local-aboriginal-land-counc/4908878 23 Aug 2013, An independent candidate contesting the NSW Central Coast seat of Robertson has called on the local Aboriginal Land Council to do more to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine from going ahead in the Wyong Valley.
Environmental activist Jake Cassar made the comment at an anti-mine rally outside the office of Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher.
Mr Cassar says he has great respect for the Darkinjung people. But he says they need to take responsibility and join the fight to stop the mine.
“The mine needs to access their land and I’m calling on the Darkinjung Land Council to act as custodians of our local area and to fight passionately against this,” he said. “With enough pressure and I think if we get the land council on side then we’ve got a really, really good chance of winning this campaign.”
In Central Victoria, they’re keen to save money with solar power
We need a candidate who will roll up their sleeves and work with the four local renewable energy groups to address Powercor policy restrictions on new solar, ensure big polluters don’t interfere with a fair price for rooftop solar and develop business models for community owned renewables projects, with all profits powering the local economy instead of foreign-owned electricity companies.
Renewable energy will keep power bills down Bernard Tonkin Castlemaine http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/1727086/renewable-energy-will-keep-power-bills-down/?cs=82 Aug. 24, 2013, A letter by Rod Leunig in Wednesday’s Advertiser (“Greens all talk – Country Alliance has the answers”) claimed that renewables and carbon pricing would cause people to struggle with their energy bills.
You can Google “Solar Scorecard” on the web. http://www.solarscorecard.org.au/
All major local candidates are scored according to their commitment to renewable energy – easing cost of living pressures and powering our local economy. Continue reading
Fred Leftwich on what Tony Abbott REALLY means on “Aboriginal economics”
Mr Abbott’s meaning of the words ‘land rights’ http://fredleftwich.com/2013/08/11/mr-abbotts-meaning-of-the-words-land-rights/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-10/abbott-indigenous-council/4878022/?site=indigenous&topic=latest Fred Leftwich
Australian governments are trying to re-define the words “land rights” to send different messages to different people. Opposition leaders, Tony Abbott, said he supported land rights but aboriginal land must be used as an economic resource and not just for cultural purposes.
Aboriginal people have always used their land for cultural and economic purposes. It’s just that their economic activities are environmentally sustainable and seek to feed their people.
When Mr Abbott uses the words “economic” he means bringing in mining companies to steal the mineral resources with profits going overseas, Australian governments getting a cut, while aboriginal communities get a very small token royalty payment whilst continuing to remain living in poverty. Aboriginal people need to argue for a treaty because it’s harder for Australian governments to misrepresent the word treaty.
Influential leaders in Victoria urge Climate Change as election issue
Former governor David de Kretser joins climate change campaign JOHN MASANAUSKAS, HERALD SUN, AUGUST 22, 2013 A FORMER Victorian governor has taken the unusual step of campaigning on a federal election issue.Professor David de Kretser, who was governor from 2006 to 2011, has signed his name to an eastern suburbs-based campaign urging MPs to take immediate strong action on climate change because the “planet is warming at an alarming rate”.
Prof de Kretser, a respected medical researcher specialising in infertility, signed a statement sponsored by an organisation called Lighter Footprints, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, volunteer climate action group based in the City of Boroondara.
It’s statement published in local newspapers asked politicians to “press for immediate support for increased renewable energy and reduction in the burning of fossil fuels”.
“Your choices now will affect life as we know it,” it said…..
- Other signatories to the climate change statement include respected scientist Sir Gustav Nossal, cooking personality Stephanie Alexander, Trinity Grammar principal Rick Tudor and Fintona Girls School principal Suzy Chandler.
Greens leader Christine Milne speaks at National Press Club
The ALP government and the Liberal and National Opposition lining up to protect the interests of the mining corporations against the interests of the Australian community. It is the Australian Greens who are standing with the people, for the environment and for a safe climate.
As IMF boss Christine Lagarde said recently, “Unless we take action on climate change future generations will be roasted, toasted fried and grilled.”
We need Scott Ludlam standing up for digital freedom and big solar and against nuclear
Christine Milne addresses the National Press Club 19 Feb 2013 | Christine Milne Australian democracy is at the crossroads. Our future as a nation, our sense of who we are and what we want for our society and local community is now being determined by mining billionaires in boardrooms for themselves and their overseas shareholders, and what they want, is being delivered through our state and federal parliaments. The mining industry has become so powerful that the lines between business and politics have become blurred to the detriment of people and the well being of our society.
No group of people is suffering more than our Indigenous people, the traditional owners of the land who are seeing their land, their country decimated and cultural sites like the archaeological treasury on the Burrup Peninsula and at James Price Point being sacrificed to Woodside’s bottom line. In acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and in paying my respects to their elders past and present, I am proud to say that the Greens have driven for them the parliamentary process of constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a result of our agreement with the Prime Minister.
But it is not enough…….
With it must come respect for culture and country, by standing up to the mining boardroom greed that sees both as expendable. For Premier Colin Barnett to threaten indigenous communities with the compulsory acquisition of their land in the interests of Woodside is wrong and shameful…….
Trust has gone. Continue reading
Australian Community Renewable Energy Plan, a Greens initiative
Greens Launch Australian Community Renewable Energy Plan http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3903 23 Aug 13 Power to, for and by the people is the essence of the Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Plan.
As we mentioned in June, dozens of communities throughout the nation have expressed a desire to develop community owned wind and solar farms; but few have received funding to assist in the early stages. At that point in time, a call went out for $50 million in funding to help kick-start these projects.
On Wednesday, the Australian Greens have launched a fully costed $100 million initiative over 5 years to provide funding for feasibility grants, project management and specialist expertise for community owned renewable energy projects. Continue reading
BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion again rears its ugly head
BHP ‘determined’ to push ahead with Olympic Dam but only after new mining techniques are thought through, CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL THE ADVERTISER AUGUST 22, 2013 BHP Billiton is “absolutely determined” to find a way to go ahead with expanding Olympic Dam, the company’s top executive in South Australia says.
There were two key objectives for BHP in South Australia, asset president of Olympic Dam Darryl Cuzzubbo told a mining conference in Port Pirie.In his first public speech since taking command in SA, Mr Cuzzubbo said the priority was to make sure the existing Olympic Dam copper/uranium/gold operation was running at world-leading efficiency standards.
If not, he would have no credibility when asking the BHP Billiton board to fund the expansion. Secondly, the key was to make the economics of the expansion work. “We are absolutely determined to find the best way to expand Olympic Dam that competes against other investment opportunities,” he said…….
Since being granted a four-year extension by the State Government on the indenture covering the mine expansion, BHP has been working hard at rescoping the project……. There were three areas to be resolved he said – to work out a more effective mining method to get down 350m to reach the ore, to process the minerals at less cost and to split the project into “bite-size” pieces so it could generate revenue along the way.
The original expansion method envisaged spending about $30 billion but not reaching the top of the ore body for four or five years.
Christine Milne announcs Greens policy to promote community renewable energy.
Greens to give power to people : http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/greens-to-give-power-to-people-20130820-2s9dk.html#ixzz2cjGRYj August 21, 2013 Heath Aston
Political report Local communities could own and produce their own renewable power under a $100 million election plan to be announced by Greens leader Christine Milne on Wednesday.
The Greens would provide the money as seed funding to enable communities to invest in green energy to reduce or end their reliance on the fossil fuel-powered electricity grid. Similar schemes in Germany have involved small cities establishing hydro power schemes using the run of rivers.
In the US, communities have banded together to invest in solar.
Investment in wind power and other renewables has been hit by Labor’s promise to rush to an emissions trading scheme.
Peter Moran, Greens candidate for Throsby promoting steelworks in vestment in renewable energy technology
Illawarra Greens call for steelworks to invest in renewable energy technology ABC News by Nick McLaren 21 Aug 2013, The Greens candidate for Throsby Peter Moran says the local steel industry is unlikely to survive unless it starts producing products for renewable energy generation.
The Illawarra’s Greens candidates are calling on both major parties to invest more in renewable technology saying local businesses and manufacturers would benefit.
Mr Moran says the Coalition and the Labor parties both plan to cut clean energy funding.
He says more government assistance for BlueScope Steel would ensure the company remains viable. “Not just cleaner ways of producing steel but also increasing the amount of product that the Australian steel industry can sell into the market that will in fact create extra jobs in clean energy,” he said.
“For instance you can’t build wind turbines without using steel.”….
A bold, but feasible, plan for Australia as renewable energy exporter
The economic equation is moving in the right direction as the price of renewables drops sharply, and as the world starts to put a price on the negative externalities of fossil fuels, including carbon emissions. Yes it is technically formidable, and assembling the necessary geopolitical and financial architecture to make it happen won’t be trivial.
But the drivers are compelling.
This project would secure sustainable energy and low carbon futures for the fastest growing region on Earth,
This project would catapult us to the forefront of the technology savvy and rapidly growing green energy sector, generating many thousands of high-tech jobs in Australia and beyond.
North Australia’s electrifying future: powering Asia with renewables REneweconomy, By Andrew Blakers on 21 August 2013
By Andrew Campbell, Andrew Blakers and Stuart Blanch
It may just be election season, but big dreams for the development of northern Australia are back in fashion. So here’s our piece of “next-frontier”, big-picture 21st-century thinking. It may even have room for a dam or two.
A Snowy scheme for the 21st century
Imagine a project that could help Indonesia achieve energy security, dramatically cut energy poverty for hundreds of millions, catalyse renewable energy production in Assocation of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, cut regional carbon pollution, and transition Australia’s energy exports from risky fuels to renewable energy.
Sounds far-fetched? In fact, such a proposal has already been published in the international peer-reviewed literature. It takes several existing technologies already in widespread deployment, and joins them together in a new configuration on an unprecedented scale, in a region with enormous natural competitive advantage — north-western Australia.
Here’s the plan. 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)
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