Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Australian govt disregards expert committee, in selling uranium to Russia

The Federal Government’s decision to sell uranium to Russia flies in the face of the recommendations of a parliamentary committee and fuels global nuclear insecurity,

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

November 12, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

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

November 9, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international | , , , | Leave a comment

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

November 3, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

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

October 31, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

WA Senator urges Government to take stand against nuclear weapons in UN  tony serve blogs, 28 Oct 10, The Australian Greens today urged the Government to support a United Nations draft resolution calling for a ban on the production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons to be voted on tomorrow in New York. Continue reading

October 29, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, weapons and war | , , , | 1 Comment

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

October 26, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

October 24, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

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

September 25, 2010 Posted by | politics international, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Hillary Clinton to Australia – to discuss “clean” ?nuclear energy

Clinton Sets Australia Visit, Thinking Australia, 20 Sept 10,  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to visit Australia in November for re-scheduled ministerial talks……There are many matters that are of mutual interest, from developing new technologies for clean energy to addressing climate change, halting nuclear proliferation, countering the threat of terrorism, and so much else”.Clinton Sets Australia Visit

September 20, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, politics international, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Concern about nuclear weapons make Greens oppose uranium to India

India has never signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty,


Greens party says no to uranium export to India. ZEENEWS.com, September 14, 2010, Melbourne: Australia’s Greens party which sent its first lawmaker to the parliament this election, has strongly opposed uranium mining and its export to non-Non Proliferation Treaty  countries like India, saying the move could have global repercussions. Continue reading

September 15, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international | , , , | Leave a comment

Australia can influence USA and China towards peaceful agreement

Australia can help by advocating that Washington and Beijing should start to negotiate such an agreement……. First, however, before we start trying to persuade others about the best future for Asia, we need to have our own debate about it here in Australia.

Our role in Asia’s superpower shuffle,  Hugh White , The Australian  September 04, 2010 As China rises, we may need to convince the US to relinquish primacy in Asia. Continue reading

September 4, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international | , , | Leave a comment

Australia urged to get with California’s R20 Climate Group

Details of the R20 will be launched at a Global Climate Summit in November along with a ”green bank,” backed by the United Nations Development Program, to help participating governments fund low carbon development.

Act on climate or be left behind, says Stern, Sydney Morning Herald, Tom Arup, September 2, 2010,  “……..Terry Tamminen, the climate adviser to the Californian Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is in Melbourne to address a business conference. Continue reading

September 2, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics international, solar, wind | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

China to be in charge of Western Australian uranium mine

Australian Greens nuclear spokesman Scott Ludlam yesterday called for prompt Foreign Investment Review Board assessment of the proposed acquisition and canvassed the desirability of a broader Senate committee inquiry into China’s growing interest in Australian uranium and rare earths resources……

China set to control WA uranium miner,  The Canberra Times, BY PHILIP DORLING,  10 Aug, 2010 0 Nuclear armed China has moved to increase its stake in Australia’s uranium industry with a major Chinese state-owned enterprise set to take control of a Western Australian uranium exploration and mining company…… Continue reading

August 17, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Labor govt will back Aboriginal Jeffrey Lee against nuclear giant AREVA

if re-elected, Labor would accept Mr Lee’s offer to incorporate the 1228 hectares of environmentally sensitive land he owns into world heritage-listed Kakadu.The move would block plans by French nuclear energy giant Areva to extract 14,000 tonnes of uranium from its mineral leases in the area

Aboriginal custodian turns back on riches, The Age, LINDSAY MURDOCH, DARWIN, August 11, 2010 AN ABORIGINAL traditional owner who could have become one of Australia’s richest people if he had allowed uranium mining on his land near Kakadu National Park says he is not interested in money. Continue reading

August 11, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear deal between USA and Australia very quietly going ahead

President Obama transmitted the proposed text of the latest renewal agreement to Congress on May 5, 2010,……..If not opposed by a joint resolution of disapproval or other legislation, then the agreement will be considered approved at the end of this time period.

CRS  – U.S.-Australia Civilian Nuclear Cooperation: Issues for Congress, Docuticker 10 Aug 2010,  (PDF)Source: Congressional Research Service (via Secrecy News)

Australia and the United States have cooperated in the peaceful use of nuclear energy since the mid-1950s. The framework for this cooperation is a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement as required by section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act. President Obama transmitted the proposed text of the latest renewal agreement to Congress on May 5, 2010, Continue reading

August 11, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics international, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment