Australian government insists that it says NO to nuclear power
Government rules out nuclear power for Australia by Trish Murphy The Guardian Oliver Milman December 18, 2013 The government has insisted it has no intention of introducing nuclear power to Australia after releasing a paper that states the technology continues to be an option for “future reliable energy”.
An issues paper released by the Department of Industry, which will inform an upcoming energy white paper, states that the need for low-carbon fuels means that nuclear is an option that can be “readily dispatched into the market”.http://fssalerts.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/government-rules-out-nuclear-power-for-australia/
Coalition government’s somewhat hypocritical statement on “no nuclear power”
Government rules out nuclear power for Australia Coalition insists it will not adopt the technology despite industry department paper calling it an option for ‘future reliable energy’ Oliver Milman theguardian.com, Tuesday 17 December 2013 The government has insisted it has no intention of introducing nuclear power to Australia after releasing a paper that states the technology continues to be an option for “future reliable energy”. Continue reading
Now on the endangered list- the critically important South Australian Environmental Defenders Office
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS OFFICE (EDO) FACES CLOSURE AFTER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING CUTS 18 December 2013 The Federal government yesterday cut $10 million in funding for across Australia. EDOs specialise in public interest environmental and planning laws. A further $810,000 in funding will cease from mid-2014, reducing Federal support to zero.
The shock funding cuts will result in an immediate significant decline in services and the likely closure of the South Australian EDO office by June 2014. The EDO provides numerous individuals and community groups across the state with free legal advice on environmental and planning laws relating to building or mining developments, water issues, pollution, and heritage issues. Clients are provided with advice and assistance on how decisions are made and potential ways to challenge those decisions. The EDO also has an integral role in providing responses to proposed changes to environmental law and policy.
The SA EDO has run a number of high profile cases including in relation to the proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam mine, a project likely to have significant impacts on the Great Artesian Basin and the Upper Spencer Gulf marine environment.
“This is an extremely disappointing decision for many South Australians whose access to expert legal advice to help them protect their environment will be severely curtailed. The community should be alarmed about the very real threat to the survival of the EDO – we are now on the endangered list. We call on the Federal Government to restore the funding otherwise defending property rights, community amenity and the environment could become unaffordable for many South Australians.” said Melissa Ballantyne, Coordinator and Principal Solicitor of the EDO.
Abbott’s new energy white paper spruiks Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)
nuclear is pricing itself out of most markets..
Abbott’s new energy white paper to consider nuclear power REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 17 December 2013 The Abbott government is to consider the possibility of introducing nuclear power into Australia, in particular small modular reactors, as part of its new energy white paper. Continue reading
Right wing climate sceptic appointed to Australian Human Rights Commission
Thinktank director Tim Wilson appointed human rights commissioner Attorney general says director of right-wing Institute of Public Affairs will ‘restore balance’ to Human Rights Commission Bridie Jabour theguardian.com, Tuesday 17 December 2013 The attorney general has appointed a director from the right-wing thinktank, the Institute of Public Affairs, as Australia’s human rights commissioner.
George Brandis said Tim Wilson, a member of the Liberal party until this month, had been appointed to “restore balance” to the Human Rights Commission.
Wilson, a self-declared classic libertarian, directs climate change policy at the IPA as well as the Intellectual Property and Free Trade Unit.
Wilson said he had stepped down from his position at the IPA as well as resigned from the Liberal party to take up the appointment.The IPA called for the Human Rights Commission to be abolishedearlier this year with Simon Breheny, director of its Legal Rights Project, saying it did not protect human rights.…..http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/17/thinktank-director-tim-wilson-appointed-human-rights-commissioner
Queensland Government’s unreasonable attack on renewable energy
The large scale renewable energy target is probably the smallest component of the electricity bill. It’s interesting that McArdle chooses to attack this, and not the network costs, which account for around half of consumer bills.
It’s all about self-interest, and McArdle has just underlined the untenable conflict of interest in having governments acting as owner, regulator, price-setter and policy developer.
Queensland energy minister launches wild attack on renewables http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/queensland-energy-minister-launches-wild-attack-on-renewables-15549 By Giles Parkinson on 16 December 2013 The Queensland government has declared its hand in the upcoming review of the renewable energy target with an extraordinary – and in many places misinformed – attack on the costs of renewable energy.
The Queensland Energy Minister Mark McArdle wrote an opinion piece in The Australian on Monday challenging an assertion by Miles George, the head of Infigen Energy and a director of the Clean Energy Council, that renewable energy has a dampening impact on electricity prices. Continue reading
Tony Abbott’s meaningless blather about jobs and Olympic Dam uranium expansion
South Australian jobs creation is focus of Council of Australian Governments following Holden closure NEWS.COM.AU DECEMBER 14, 2013 “……..Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to make an announcement about the Federal Government’s response to the situation as early as Monday, but yesterday he made the surprising claim that BHP Billiton could reverse its decision to shelve the Olympic Dam expansion within months.
“The atmospherics and the economics and the decision will be substantially different I believe in a few months’ time,” he told the Australian Financial Review, adding that he was “moderately optimistic” that it was “doable”.
State Opposition Leader Steven Marshall spoke to the Prime Minister about Olympic Dam this week as part of discussions over how to strengthen the state’s economy.
The Advertiser yesterday revealed the State Government’s wishlist for infrastructure spending and a speeding-up of Defence spending to help the state survive Holden’s demise…….http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/south-australian-jobs-creation-is-focus-of-council-of-australian-governments-following-holden-closure/story-fnii5yv4-1226782915941
In secrecy, Australian government about to sign up to Trans Pacific Partnership
Australia ‘stumbling block’ on tobacco law ,The Age, Peter Martin, Economics correspondent , 14 Dec 13, “…….Australia’s Trade Minister Andrew Robb has indicated he is prepared to trade Australia’s previous opposition to investor state dispute settlement clauses in exchange for greater access to markets for commodities such as sugar. He returned from the talks on Tuesday.
An Australia Institute survey released on Friday finds only 11 per cent of Australians ‘‘definitely know’’ about the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
Almost 90 per cent think the details of such deals should be made public before they are signed.
Told that the US wants the right for its corporations to sue governments, 75 per cent are opposed.
Asked whether they trust the Australian government when it says it will not sign an agreement which will push up the price of prescription drugs, 67 per cent say no.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-stumbling-block-on-tobacco-law-20131212-2zae7.html#ixzz2nP2JxdzM
Senator Nova Peris doubts Abbott’s commitment to Aboriginal development
Nova Peris questions Abbott’s dedication to Indigenous affairs, SBS News 12 Dec 13, The parliamentary year has officially ended for Tony Abbott and the Coalition government, but questions still remain unanswered for Indigenous ministers. By Brooke Boney
Source
NITV News “……The new government established an advisory council headed by Warren Mundine, which will focus on community economic development in the coming parliamentary year.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott declared his dedication to Indigenous Australians, saying “I want to be the Prime Minister for Indigenous affairs.”
However, recent events in mining and tourism have lead Aboriginal communities to believe otherwise…….. the government is still in its infancy and plans to conduct three separate reviews aimed at closing the gap early next year.
The first review will assess all government expenditure in Indigenous Affairs, the second will review training and employment programs, and the third will focus on the merge of Indigenous Business Australia with the Indigenous Land Corporation.
In the final days of the 2013 election, Minister Joe Hockey announced that the Coalition would cut $42 million from the Indigenous legal aid budget.
Northern Territory Senator Nova Peris revealed her distress following this announcement in Parliament today where she questioned the attorney general during senate estimates and question time.
Hope for renewable energy, as Senate votes to keep Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
CEFC saved in the Senate – a rare win for Australian renewables REneweconomy,By Giles Parkinson on 11 December 2013 In a welcome piece of good news for the Australian renewable energy industry, efforts to close the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation have been thwarted in the Senate, and the innovative green investment bank is set to continue at least until next July, when a new Senate will sit. Continue reading
Australian government aiming to slow development of small scale solar power?
Renewable Energy Target Review Red Alert , Renewable Energy News, 12 Dec 13 The Abbott government will soon release its terms of reference for another Renewable Energy Target review says the Australian Solar Council. Given the general vibe; it doesn’t bode well for remaining small scale solar subsidies.
As solar feed-in-tariff incentives are dialled down, the Renewable Energy Target is now the major form of support to the solar industry in Australia and for those buying solar panel systems.
“The future of the small-scale scheme for solar PV is in considerable doubt,” states Australian Solar Council CEO John Grimes…….
The solar power industry currently employs more than 18,000 people in 4,500 small and medium businesses across Australia – many in rural and regional areas.
With Renewable Energy Target related support still providing subsidies of up to a couple of thousand dollars on solar panel systems and that support continuing after the review not something to bank on; the best time to go solar may be right now……..http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4074
Danger in plan to hand over environmental regulation from Australian government to the States
Conservationist says uranium mine spill shows states must not be given approval powers http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-09/conservationist-says-states-set-to-water-down-mine-approvals/5145080 The World Today By Katie Hamann 9 Dec 2013, The Australian Conservation Foundation says it is time the Ranger uranium mine was closed permanently after yet another spill in Kakadu National Park, east of Darwin.
More than a million litres of toxic slurry engulfed the mine on Saturday.
The spill coincides with a move by the Federal Government to allow states and territories to assess all mining applications, as part of its overhaul of environmental approvals.
Earlier this year, the Federal Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Queensland Government aimed at giving the state the power to be a one-stop shop for environmental approvals………. Continue reading
Reckless and radioactive: Ranger uranium project must close
Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues, Senator Scott Ludlam. 9 December 2013. Today in senate question time, Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam asked the Environment Minister’s representative about the massive spill of 1.4 million litres of radioactive acid at the Ranger Uranium Mine.
In response to the Government’s feeble and evasive answers, Senator Ludlam has submitted a detailed log of questions to Commonwealth environmental regulators and has called for the closure of the mine.
“The Minister representing the Environment Minister played down the events over the weekend and the on-going leakage and contamination problems at the Ranger mine.
“In fact this mine has an atrocious track record with more than 150 spills, leaks and license breaches since it opened in 1981. Just a few weeks ago a contaminated vehicle was somehow allowed out of the site. In 2004 workers drank and showered in water laced with uranium. I revealed through Senate Estimates that water with uranium concentrations 5400 times background and a cocktail of other radionuclides are seeping from beneath the tailings dam at Ranger.
“This mine must halt operations until an independent assessment can be completed. In addition, there should be there should be no handing over of federal powers to assess and approve uranium mining projects to state or Territory governments.
“ERA and its hapless regulators must now bring forward plans for the orderly closure of this mine, and entertain no further proposals for extending the life of this clapped out mine.”
Senator Ludlam’s Question Without Notice in Question Time today:http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/questions-without-notice/questions-asked-about-1-million-litres-radioactive-acid-spilled-ran
Senator Ludlam’s Question on Notice to the Environment Minister:http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/questions-notice/detailed-questions-nuclear-disaster-ranger-uranium-mine
US corporations can see Trans-Pacific Partnership text, but Australian Senate can’t!
Secrecy surrounds Trans-Pacific Partnership talks : http://www.smh.com.au/national/secrecy-surrounds-transpacific-partnership-talks-20131208-2yzea.html#ixzz2n02wqzej December 9, 2013 Peter Martin Economics correspondent The government has refused the Senate access to the secret text of the trade deal it is negotiating in Singapore, saying it will only be made public after it has been signed.
As the final round of ministerial talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership resumed on Sunday, Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz wrote to each of the 12 
participating nations warning that the deal and the secrecy surrounding it presented ”grave risks”.
Australia’s delegate, Trade Minister Andrew Robb, has told Fairfax Media he is prepared to agree to so-called ”investor-state dispute settlement provisions” in return for access to markets including those of the US, Japan and Canada.
The provisions, rejected by the previous Labor government, allow foreign corporations to sue sovereign governments. Continue reading
Waubra Foundation calls South Australian Environment Protection Authority “corrupt”
Waubra Foundation attacks EPA Shannon Twomey Weekly Times, December 3, 2013 THE Waubra Foundation labels the South Australian Environment Protection Authority corrupt and is calling for an external inquiry.
The anti-wind farm group attacked SA EPA over its Waterloo Wind Farm Noise Study findings which were conducted during April and June. The results were released on November 26.
The study found the Waterloo Wind Farm meets relevant SA and international standards and there was no evidence linking the noise from the wind farm to adverse impacts on residents.
But in a letter sent yesterday to South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, Waubra Foundation chief executive Sarah Laurie said the EPA staff involved in the study were deliberately attempting to corrupt the data and mislead residents.
…….The letter concludes with five “necessary actions” that Ms Laurie has urged from the Premier including an immediate external public inquiry into the SA EPA to investigate breaches of integrity, respect and accountability.
SA EPA’s operations director of science, assessment and planning Peter Dolan said noise from the Waterloo Wind Farm did not breach EPA guidelines.
He said infrasound levels from the wind farm were below the internationally threshold for perception and in many cases analyses of audio records and data were unable to demonstrate associations with events described in noise diaries……http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/12/03/590978_national-news.html
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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