Australia’s uranium sales relate to nuclear weapons
The New START treaty comes at a time when Australia has recently agreed to supply uranium to Russia, despite it being notoriously non-transparent to outside observers of its weapons programs.
Nuclear arms treaty merely a start | The Australian James Norman December 28, 2010 “………….The New START treaty also poses questions for Australia and its place in contributing towards a world constantly threatened by the spectre of nuclear weapons. Continue reading
Why Australia must not sell uranium to India
We’ll be assured that “strict’’ safeguards will “ensure’’ peaceful use of Australian uranium. The problem is that IAEA safeguards inspections in India will at best be tokenistic…..the 118 countries of the Nonaligned Movement voiced objections to nuclear trade with non-NPT countries at the NPT Review Conference in New York last May.
Australia should switch sides and work with those countries attempting to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Rolling the nuclear dice with Australian uranium, THE PUNCH, by Jim Green, 15 Dec 10, Secret US cables concerning nuclear politics in South Asia provide important context for debates over Australia’s uranium export industry. Continue reading
Rudd in Israel calls for openness on nuclear weapons
Rudd calls for inspections of Israel’s nuclear facility The Australian John Lyons December 14, 2010 FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has arrived in Israel with a blunt message: allow international inspectors into your nuclear facility. Continue reading
Australia’s intelligence analysts warn against attack on Iran
WikiLeaks | fears of potential nuclear war in the Middle East, Sydney Morning Herald, Philip Dorling December 13, 2010 AUSTRALIAN intelligence agencies fear that Israel might launch military strikes against Iran and that Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities could draw the US and Australia into a potential nuclear war in the Middle East. Continue reading
Australia under contract to receive radioactive wastes
Dounreay Radioactive Waste Substitution Consultation 2010, The Scottish Government, 7 Dec 10,
“……….Dounreay’s Historic Contracts & the Current Situation
2.1.6 The contracts entered into by UKAEA contained clauses allowing for the radioactive waste allocated to overseas customers under the reprocessing contracts to be returned to the country of origin:– the “Return of Waste Clauses”. It is Government policy that these clauses be enacted and the radioactive waste sent back to the countries of origin. However to enact these clauses, the NDA is contractually obliged to return the radioactive waste in a form which can be safely transported and stored in accordance with such regulations as may be specified by the relevant competent national authorities.
2.1.7 The countries with radioactive waste at Dounreay which is due to be returned to them are Australia, Belgium, Germany and Italy…….. Dounreay Radioactive Waste Substitution Consultation 2010
Secrecy as Australia does uranium deal with Russia
Australia opening new uranium markets to a country with the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and largest stockpile of weapons-usable material, much of it inadequately secured………..the secrecy surrounding a deal that is done on the sidelines of the G20 rather than in the proper light of Australian public scrutiny.
New Risks from Australia Russia Uranium Deal – On Line Opinion – By James Norman 19/11/2010 Late last week on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in South Korea, Prime Minister Julia Gillard ratified a deal with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that should send shockwaves through the Australian electorate. Continue reading
Push in US Congress to sell nuclear power to Australia
The deal would allow for the United States to export nuclear technology, material and equipment to Australia for atomic power generation
Legislation Would Protect U.S.-Australia Atomic Trade Deal, NTI: Global Security Newswire , Nov. 18, 2010 Recently introduced U.S. legislation would ensure that a civilian nuclear trade agreement with Australia would still enter into force even if its time runs out in Congress, Continue reading
Australian govt disregards expert committee, in selling uranium to Russia
Australian Conservation Foundation, David Noonan, David Sweeney, 12 Nov 2010, In 2008 the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties recommended the Government not proceed with a treaty to export uranium to Russia. Continue reading
Australia’s danger in closer military ties with USA
lf the primary justification is ”regional security”, why should Australia agree to even greater military ties with the US when it will make us more of a potential target for terrorism?
Questions Hillary wasn’t asked on her date with Australia, Sydney Morning Herald, Hamish Ford, November 10, 2010 – “…..Here, then, are the questions that weren’t asked of Hillary Clinton, but at least a couple of which should have been: ……….. Continue reading
Australia should stop supplying uranium to nuclear weapons States
Greens: Australia Should Oppose Nuclear Weapons at United Nations (UN), Mathaba, 3 Nov 10, Australia produces the uranium used for Israeli, British and United States nuclear weapons, so a good place to start would be a ban on providing those nuclear states with any supplies. Continue reading
No gain, only harm, in Australia selling uranium to India
uranium sales to India would do very little to expand Australia’s export revenue − which helps explain why the Australian Uranium Association supports the government’s policy of prohibiting uranium sales to countries that have not signed the NPT.
Selling uranium to India will do great damage, with little gain to Australia, The Age, Richard Broinowski, November 1, 2010 “…..India made no concessions whatsoever during the US-India deal − no commitment to curb its escalating nuclear weapons program, no commitment to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, no commitment to stop producing fissile material for weapons. Continue reading
Time for Australia to show clear support for Nuclear Weapons Convention
Greens spokesperson for nuclear issues, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Government should take the opportunity to make a clear statement of support for a nuclear weapons convention.
Hazards in BHP’s planned export of uranium to China
“BHP propose precedent sale of uranium in copper concentrates to China…“This is not sanctioned under Australia’s nuclear treaties … it would compromise our safeguards and environmental responsibilities, and dump some 1.2 million tonnes of long-lived radioactive mine wastes in China every year.
‘Toxic lake’ future for Olympic Dam, Roxby Downs Sun, 25 Oct, 2010 02:26 BHP must present feasible alternatives to prevent or reduce the environmental impacts of the proposed Olympic Dam expansion in the next phase of the Environmental Impact Statement process, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) say. Continue reading
South Korea – Australia gas-uranium package deal?
South Korea has suggested a possible package deal to build nuclear-power plants in global markets using the country’s advanced technology and Australia’s uranium, the ministry said.
Korean Firms to Raise Australian LNG Spending WSJ.com, OCTOBER 24, 2010. By KYONG-AE CHOI, SEOUL—South Korea and Australia have agreed to allow South Korean companies to increase their investments in liquefied natural gas development projects in the resource-rich country Continue reading
Australian uranium company pulls out of Niger
Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid, Fri Sep 24, 2010 SYDNEY, Sept 24 (Reuters) – Australia-based uranium miner Paladin Energy is to drop its A$27 million ($26 million) bid for NGM Resources (NGM.AX: Quote), it said on Friday, citing worries that kidnappings in west Africa would hamper NGM’s exploration work in the region. Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid | Metals & Mining | Reuters
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