CT not advisable for bone density scans, less radiation in alternative method
DXA, not CT, still best for bone density scans, Endocrinology Update, 15 August, 2013 Nicola Garrett Endocrinology Update
But after consulting experts in the field the network concluded that there was no evidence that CT scans were better than DXA.
In fact CT scans posed unique problems not seen with DXA scans, the communication noted. For example spine CT could be ‘spuriously low’ in a patient with normal…(doctors only registration) http://www.endocrinologyupdate.com.au/latest-news/dxa-not-ct-still-best-for-bone-density-scans
Minister Gary Gray is disingenuous about radioactive wastes
Christina Macpherson, 15 Aug 13, Australia’s new Energy Minister Gary Gray appears to be an improvement on the previous Minister, in that Gray at least met with some Traditional owners of land in Northern Territory – designated for a nuclear waste dump.
Australian govt’s nuclear waste plan contravenes UN Declaration
Northern Territory nuclear waste dump ‘contravenes UN declaration’ http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/14/test-nuclear-waste-nova-peris Oliver Milman theguardian.com, Wednesday 14 August 2013
Conservationists say plan falls foul of agreement on Indigenous people’s rights, with senator-in-waiting Nova Peris also opposed Nova Peris is strongly opposed to the proposed plan for a nuclear waste dump.
The government risks breaching an international agreement if it goes ahead with a controversial nuclear waste dump in a remote part of the Northern Territory, conservationists say, with Labor Senate candidate Nova Peris calling for the plan to be dropped.
Conservationists claim that the Muckaty dump, near Tennant Creek, would be in contravention of the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, which states that nations must “ensure that no storage or disposal of hazardous materials shall take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples without their free, prior and informed consent”.
The basis of this consent is currently being challenged in the federal court, with a directions hearing set to take place in Melbourne on 26 August. Continue reading
Australia not getting new coal power investment any time soon
New Coal Power Investment To Be Deferred – AEMO by Energy Matters, 15 Aug 13 Thanks in part to Australia’s home solar power revolution, the prospects for new fossil fuel based power generation investment look rather bleak over the next decade in much of the nation.
The recently published Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) from the Australian Energy Market Operator AEMO says the rise of residential rooftop solar, increasing energy efficiency in response to electricity price hikes and more large scale renewable energy development “is expected to defer new thermal electricity generation investment.”…….
Rooftop solar panels are treated as a demand offset for supply–demand balance, and are not included in the 522.7MW figure. However, in 2012-13, the AEMO estimates 774 MW of rooftop PV generation capacity was installed in the NEM. ….. Of the 1,000 MW in new large scale generation committed since last year’s ESOO; 95% consists of wind generation and 5% solar generation…… http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3889
Tony Abbott’s election gamble – preferencing Labor ahead of Greens
Tony Abbott to banish the Greens from the lower house SIMON BENSON STATE POLITICAL EDITOR THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 14, 2013 OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott will today direct the Liberal Party to preference the Greens behind Labor in all seats across the country in a bid to ensure the party is wiped from the lower house of parliament.
It will mean the Greens’ only current lower house MP, Adam Bandt, will almost certainly lose his seat of Melbourne on September 7 – in an election gift to the ALP.
It will also guarantee that Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keeps his inner-city Sydney seat of Grayndler, which Labor holds with just a 4 per cent margin against the minor party. Continue reading
Australia’s Aboriginal Establishment – it’s a Patriarchy, (with a Marcia Langton token)
NACCHO political alert: 14 Aug 13 The Guardian reports Tony Abbott’s plan for Aboriginal Australians is fatally flawed by Louise Taylor Louise Taylor is an Aboriginal (Kamilaroi) woman and a barrister/solicitor practising in the Australian Capital Territory. Louise is the convenor of the Women’s Legal Centre, an Indigenous Law Centre associate, and a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Indigenous Legal Issues Committee. Her piece is written in a personal capacity (and not the views of NACCHO)
Perhaps you nodded along and thought “good, let’s get moving on this”. Perhaps you thought Mundine surely must have been given a mandate from community representatives. Or perhaps, like me, you wondered how this announcement was anything new……..
Abbott’s Garma speech invoked his “friend” Noel Pearson. Pearson was absent from any alignment with the Abbott plan. Curiously, Mundine and Abbott were the headline act in the mainstream media. A weird choice, given I’ve yet to see any major support from other Indigenous people or organisations for the Coalition’s plan with Mundine at the helm……….
I see a common theme in both camps – the almost complete absence of Aboriginal women at the national leadership table. It troubles me that the domain and face of national Indigenous leadership is portrayed consistently as Indigenous men.
Noel Pearson. Warren Mundine. Mick Gooda. Mick Dodson. Patrick Dodson. Where are the women? When Rudd and Abbott speak of their Indigenous “mates”, they always name men. There are many competent and capable Indigenous women who are thinking innovatively and deeply about solutions for their communities. Do we see or hear from them?…….
they are absolutely there – Andrea Mason, Fiona Jose and Jenny Hayes to name a few. But we are rarely treated to the benefit of their views at a national level. Apart from the formidable professor Marcia Langton, who we do see and hear from now and then, the debate is missing the presence of Indigenous women at what appears to be a crucial time in the shaping of policy.
We know this is not a reflection of what is going on in our communities, where Indigenous women are front and centre of the grunt work being done to improve outcomes and keep communities together. Perhaps Abbott considers Aboriginal women too busy “cowering in their houses or their huts” to participate in policy discussion directly affecting the lives of their families and communities. We have a new female co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and I have yet to see one single mainstream media engagement with her – on anything. Is her number in Rudd’s contacts list? I wonder…… http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/08/14/naccho-political-alert-the-guardian-reports-tony-abbotts-plan-for-aboriginal-australians-is-fatally-flawed/
Heathcote locals unhappy with Victoria’s anti-wind farm laws
Heathcote locals question Victoria’s anti-wind farm laws http://yes2renewables.org/2013/08/13/heathcote-locals-question-victorias-anti-wind-farm-laws/ August 13, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank
Yes 2 Renewables visited Heathcote recently to present to the local U3A (university of the third age) about wind energy technology. Given that Heathcote is located in the hearth of the McHarg/Macedon Ranges ‘no-go zone’ for wind farms, we took the opportunity to brief attendees about the Victorian government’s anti-wind farm laws. The presentation prompted U3A member, Louise Joy, to submitted the following letter to the editor to The McIvor Times:
Heathcote U3A “Understanding New Technology” group heard Leigh Ewbank from Friends of the Earth speak on “Wind Power” at the Guide Hall for an illuminating and entertaining two hours on Wednesday 3 July 2013 from 10 am.
Such a simple solution to the problems of pollution where unfortunately Victoria leads the way in developed countries. Renewable energy has strong public support with 94% opting for Solar and 87% for wind power. There have been Wind Power community projects planned for Woodend, Surf Coast and Anglesea with opportunities for job creation in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and computer programming. Farms in drought areas benefit, a lid is kept on Electricity prices, communities gain control over their own clean and safe energy future.
So what is stopping implementation with so much community support and so many advantages? There are strong lobby groups with vested interests against Wind Farming. In Victoria, Amendment VC 82 has created no go zones in the Yarra and McHarg Ranges, among others. Heathcote U3A members left the meeting encouraged to make known the advantages of Wind Farming and to lobby politicians to rescind Amendment VC 82.
Abbott very keen to be Australia’s “indigenous affairs prime minister”
Tony Abbott overruled advice on indigenous advisory council BY:PATRICIA KARVELAS :The Australian August 12, 2013 TONY Abbott’s proposed indigenous advisory council was only supposed to last for six months to undertake a significant review of indigenous affairs, but the Opposition Leader changed the policy late in the process.
The Australian understands the policy, which had been planned over many months, was rewritten by Mr Abbott who decided, against advice, to make it a permanent feature of his government rather than a short-term audit………..
Mr Abbott ultimately made the call to create an ongoing council similar to Mr Howard’s national indigenous council, of which Mr Mundine was also a member.
Mr Mundine is committed to the objectives of Mr Abbott’s plan for indigenous affairs ……
it is understood that Mr Abbott’s desire to become the first “indigenous affairs prime minister” is so strong he decided a permanent body was a better policy and it could still perform an audit-style role. His office settled on the policy…………. The council will inform the policy implementation of a new Coalition government……….http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/tony-abbott-overruled-advice-on-indigenous-advisory-council/story-fn9hm1pm-1226695197188
Why Energy Australia opposes renewable energy and energy efficiency
EnergyAustralia says solar PV causing rapid structural change By Giles Parkinson on 13 August 2013 EnergyAustralia, one of the big three utilities operating in Australia, says that rooftop solar PV and energy efficiency measures are causing “unprecedented structural change” to the national electricity market.
It says rooftop solar and energy efficiency are causing a significant fall in household energy consumption, more than offsetting any gains from population growth. It says these factors, combined with an increase in renewable energy generation due to the Renewable Energy Target (RET), has caused wholesale electricity prices to fall. “This is likely to continue,” it says. “These factors are impacting the industry as a whole, providing difficult trading conditions for ourselves and our major competitors alike.”
The comments came as EnergyAustralia, which owns the Yallourn coal-fired generator – and recently purchased coal-fired generators in NSW and a range of gas and wind energy assets, along with a retail arm – recorded a loss of $HK45 million in the first half of 2013. That compares with earnings of HK$268 million for the same period the previous year. Operating profits fell to HK$55 million from HK$807 million.
“The Australian energy market is facing unprecedented structural changes that are taking place at a rapid pace,” the company noted in a statement.
“In particular, the past two years have seen a pronounced decline in residential electricity demand in response to rising prices, and the deployment of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and energy efficiency savings have more than offset any increase in demand from population growth.”
EnergyAustralia has been one of the most vocal opponents of both the RET and energy efficiency measures, because of the impact on its generation assets. It has been joined by Origin Energy and many state-owned coal fired generators in pushing for the RET to be diluted or halted…….
Despite the problems and the losses, Richard McIndoe, the managing director of EnergyAustralia, received total remuneration of $HK15.4 million ($2.2 million) million in the six month period, with nearly two thirds of this coming from performance bonuses. He was the best paid in the last six months of all senior executives of CLP, the Hong Kong-based parent company, including group CEO Andrew Brandler. http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/energyaustralia-says-solar-pv-causing-rapid-structural-change-83521
Deluded optimism in uranium industry, with price in free fall
Since the Fukushima disaster — a continuing nuclear crisis fuelled by Australian uranium — the price has been in free fall.
Industry advocates remain adamant or delusional that there will be a commodity price recovery but, looking at the sector’s vital signs, we find a weak pulse….. people outside of the uranium industry do not share the optimism about a uranium price recovery.
For new comers like WA uranium hopeful Toro Energy this does not bode well.
When a small inexperienced company like Toro are competing with existing operating mines for scant finance and market access, the $260 million needed to start the proposed Wiluna mine and the further $150-$260 million in upfront bonds looks more and more like “the dream that failed” a term coined by The Economist.
Uranium industry in crisis of confidence http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54727#sthash.TOxcBrLT.dpuf August 11, 2013 By Mia Pepper, Perth While Australia’s mining sector shows signs of resilience, there is one mineral whose outlook may be terminal.
There are five significant events that have occurred recently that send a clear message about the future of the uranium sector and the wider nuclear industry.
The uranium price dropped to US$34.50 a pound Energy Resources of Australia, the operator of the Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu, announced a $54 million loss.
Perth-based uranium miner Paladin Energy failed to sell a stake in its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia. French nuclear giant EDF announced its exit from nuclear power in the US and Duke Energy cancelled two proposed reactors in Florida.
These incidents are neither isolated nor unrelated — they are significant indicators about the health of nuclear industry. The uranium price was around US$20 through much of the 1980s and 1990s. It increased dramatically around 2005 with the promise of a “nuclear renaissance” but began a steady drop in 2007 through to the end of 2010.
Since the Fukushima disaster — a continuing nuclear crisis fuelled by Australian uranium — the price has been in free fall. Continue reading
Liberal, Labor, and Warren Mundine in lockstep on Aboriginal issues
I don’t understand why SBS World News would think that indigenous land rights are an “election issue”. Seeing that Australians face two major parties that are in lockstep about Aboriginal matters.
Both Liberal and Labor are keen to keep the Northern Territory Intervention going. Both are all out to promote the 
uranium industry, on Aboriginal land. Both are keen to establish a nuclear waste dump on Aboriginal land.
So – no doubt, both major parties are happy to have Aboriginal puppet Warren Mundine close to the helm of whoever wins. As for Mundine – well – he has shown how expert he is, at being “on the side of the winner”. Which definitely does not mean on the side of the Aboriginal people. – C.M
Indigenous land rights emerging as key election issue, SBS World News 12 Aug 13 “………….. the Coalition’s unveiling of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Policy, centred on a new Indigenous advisory council headed by the former President of the Labor Party Warren Mundine……. The advisory council will inform the Prime Minister on policy development and implementation, and it will start with a major review of Indigenous spending and service delivery — most notably land rights reform…….
Solar Citizens bring about Government U-turn in Western Australia – national repercussions?
Barnett Backs Down From Solar Backflip http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3885 13 Aug 13, Solar supporters rejoiced after the Western Australian State Government yesterday reversed its decision to slash the feed in tariff rate for tens of thousands of solar households.
“Quite simply, we got this decision wrong and we have to fix it,” Premier Colin Barnett said in a short statement.
“We understand that this measure would have had an unfair impact on one section of the community and it has to be reversed.”
Within hours of the original decision to slash the incentive, solar households and supporters mobilized. Mainstream and social media was buzzing with condemnation. A Solar Citizens petition was launched that very quickly attracted over 9,000 signatures protesting the reduction.
Even within the State Government’s ranks, there was dissent. Overall, the backlash was such that it had the potential to impact results in the Federal Election. Continue reading
Hear Kellie Tranter – a formidable election candidate for Wikileaks
AUDIO: Wikileaks seeking accountability in the Senate http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2013/08/wikileaks-seeking-accountability-in-the-senate.html You may have watched or heard the leader’s debate last night that covered the subjects of boats, the economy, tax and the NBN. But did you hear much about monitoring government practice, governmental and public service transparency, internet freedom or your right to protest?
The fact that you didn’t is a major failure by the system and the media who monitors it, according to the new political party; Wikileaks.You may in fact know Wikileaks as a new media organisation-come-whistlebowing operation. But it now wants to take the principles that have made it a household name and form the platform of a senate run.
As far as we know, Julian Assange is under protection in Ecuador, but will still head the Victorian senate ticket.
So what does all this mean for the Hunter? Maitland human rights lawyer Kellie Tranter will head the NSW Senate ticket, and she joined Aaron Kearney to discuss what a vote for Wikileaks actually means in the upcoming election.
Tranter believes the genesis of the Wikileaks party has come from public concern and public groundswell against government secrecy, and that if the public wants to hold the government accountable for its actions, they should cast a vote her way. When questioned about the role of Wikileaks in the senate, Tranter said the Wikileaks party and the Wikileaks organisation are separate entities and that the Wikileaks party is needed to ensure the government is held accountable for its actions.
“We are absolutely fed up with a country being dragged to the far right and we’re looking to pull that back to the middle ground,” Tranter said.
Wikileaks Party strong advocates for Aboriginal rights
Mr Assange said that the WikiLeaks Party stands alongside all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their struggle and right to self-determination. The party has an eleven member National Council, with one of its national councillors Gamilaroy man Luke Pearson. Mr Pearson, a teacher and the creator of the highly respected social media project @IndigenousX, is unfolding, alongside others, policy positions and calls for justice for Aboriginal peoples. Mr Pearson is well known for his passion for Aboriginal education as part of a true Australian society and the common good.
“[The Northern Territory Intervention] one of the saddest, if not the saddest episodes of Australian history of the past ten years. A comic-book abuse of the role of the Australian military. A terrible violation of the right of Aboriginal Australia to determine its own destiny.”
Mr Assange said that the Intervention was “…aided and abetted by the credulous mainstream media’s demonization of Aboriginals as sexual deviants.”
Julian Assange on what the WikiLeaks Party will mean to Aboriginal peoples, Wikileaks Party August 10, 2013 by Gerry Georgatos, lead WikiLeaks Party Senate candidate for Western Australia First published in The Stringer, August 10 2013
There is a new political party on the horizon – the WikiLeaks Party. Founded by Julian Assange the fledgling party is bidding for Canberra through the Senate. They have seven Senate candidates including Julian Assange.
Mr Assange was interviewed this week by The Stringer, while holed up in London’s Ecuadorean Embassy in his seeking of Asylum to protect him from the fate that Private Bradley Manning faces in the United States.
The WikiLeaks Party is polling strongly and if the polls were to reflect accurately on election day, September 7, the party would find it has three and maybe four Australian Senators. Continue reading
Australian Aborigines welcome refugees – and shame our politicians!
In an open letter to Rudd released on August 5, Aboriginal activist and president of the Indigenous Social Justice Association Ray Jackson said: “Both Nauru and Papua New Guinea are countries very susceptible to the rattling of the bags of silver proffered by Australian governments to allow us to dump what we see as ‘undesirables’ or ‘queue jumpers’ or ‘illegals’.
“They, of course, are none of these. Under the UN Declaration on Refugees they have every International Human Right to seek comfort and refuge here in Australia.
“You parliamentarians do not speak in my name.”
Aboriginal groups welcome refugees http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54726#sthash.fMUMhBTG.dpuf August 11, 2013 By Kerry Smith Asylum seekers are welcome on Aboriginal lands in Australia despite the inhumane approach of both major political parties, the Aboriginal Provisional Government said on July 29.
Secretary Michael Mansell said: “As people who know what it’s like to be invaded by boat people we are in a better position to judge how the current boat people should be treated. Where the original boat people who took over our country were armed to the teeth and bent on conquest, asylum seekers in 2013 are unarmed and seeking sanctuary.
“The ancestors of Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott most likely came by boat. It is certain they never sought Aboriginal permission to enter our shores. It is hypocritical of both Rudd and Abbott, who gained all the benefits of migration to rise to the positions they hold, to deny other migrants the same opportunity. The only difference is that Aborigines are giving permission, not being ignored.
“Some may believe it strange that a people dispossessed and dominated by migrants over two centuries would welcome more. Asylum seekers are not trying to take over anything. They are hoping they will be treated as fellow humans escaping persecution and despair, willing to risk death on the high seas to gain access to a life Rudd and Abbott would deny them.” 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
