Gary Gray, Minister for Energy is loyal to the nuclear lobby, not to Australia
Gray shows folly of making ex-mining boss a Minister by backing nuclear power – again http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/gray-shows-folly-making-ex-mining-boss-minister-backing-nuclear-power-%E2%80%93-again17 Jul 2013 Resources and energy Minister Gary Gray has again advocated nuclear power and uranium mining, showing his loyalty to the mining industry is distorting his judgement, the Greens warned today.
Senator Scott Ludlam said “An economists report has found the proposed first uranium mine for Western Australia – Toro’s Wiluna project – could only scrape a profit if the taxpayers foot the bill for the closure and clean-up of the site. The uranium sector is terminal, and it seems Gary Gray needs to be dragged kicking and screaming to the funeral”.
“At today’s uranium conference Minister Gray praised the Ranger mine’s output without mentioning its long and sorry history of accidents and spills.
“The deliberate myopia was particularly bad when the Minister mentioned the Fukushima Daiichi ‘incident’ and the fall in the world uranium price, ignoring the fact the uranium price had been disintegrating for four years prior to Fukushima, from a record high of almost $140 a pound to around $65 a pound. Minister Gray also neglected the fact Australian uranium was in all four reactors at Fukushima.
“Minister Gray’s claim that there is a significant role for uranium to play in addressing climate change is pure fantasy. In Europe 150 nuclear power stations are ear-marked for closure as countries such as Germany, Spain and Switzerland lead the way with huge and growing renewable energy sectors.
“Labor and the Coalition are in lock-step supporting the dangerous, dirty and obsolete nuclear power sector. Only the Greens are standing up for the clean energy and sustainable jobs the renewable energy sector will deliver.”
Tony Abbott wrong, Kevin Rudd running scared, on climate change
Dancing to Abbott’s tune SARA PHILLIPS ABC Environment 16 JUL 2013 Opposition leader Tony Abbott is wrong when he says the world is moving away from pricing carbon.
Abbott’s climate statements are incorrect and Rudd seems to be running scared on climate. Meanwhile the majority of voters still want a leader who is strong on climate change.”……It always surprised me that Abbott, as leader of the party that champions the power of a free market, would be opposed to a mechanism for reducing greenhouse gases that aims to harness this power.
And then there’s his comment that everyone else in the world has moved away from carbon pricing.
This statement is flatly incorrect. First there’s the European Union’s emissions trading scheme, which has been running since 2005 and encompasses 15 nations. Then there’s South Korea, New Zealand, India, parts of China and California (whose economy is bigger than most countries). Meanwhile a separate group of US states have come together with the aim of building an emissions trading scheme. Even Kazakhstan has an emissions trading scheme.
The World Bank released a report (pdf) in May which said “Regional, national and sub-national carbon pricing initiatives are proliferating. Despite weak international carbon markets, both developed and developing countries are mainstreaming carbon pricing initiatives in national climate change and development strategies.”……http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2013/07/16/3803539.htm
Abbott’s comments on carbon dioxide as being an “invisible substance” appeal to those who don’t believe that greenhouse gases are a problem. But the majority of Australians care about the climate and are prepared for action on climate to be taken.
Rudd should remember that he was propelled to power in 2007 partly because of his stronger stance on climate change than John Howard. His expulsion from the top job was in part because he softened his climate approach.
Moving faster to the ETS looks like running scared, when Australians have historically rewarded those who have stood firm on climate.
By dancing to Abbott’s tune, Rudd tangos to a man whose climate statements are incorrect. It’s not a good look for either of them.
Family First Senate candidate Bob Day is keen for Australia to build nuclear submarines
“Informed defence opinion tells us we need, as a minimum, three nuclear powered and six diesel powered subs. …..Australia should consider entering a joint venture with the UK to build our own nuclear powered submarines in the UK with the inclusion of South Australian labour”. Family First federal chairman and SA Senate candidate Bob Day quoted in – Australian Conservative, 17 July 13
Study finds that the Coalition’s carbon storage plan is not viable
Coalition’s soil carbon plan ‘unviable’, study finds SMH, uly 17, 2013 Peter Hannam Carbon economy editor The Coalition’s plan to store carbon dioxide in soil as a central plank of its climate policy has been thrown into further doubt by new research showing Australian soils are unlikely to offer low-cost emissions cuts.
A University of Melbourne survey of hundreds of Australian studies going back three decades found that using the country’s soils to offset a significant proportion of national greenhouse gases “is technically limited and economically unviable at the present time”. Published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, it suggests farmers would lose out through soil-carbon projects at carbon prices backed by both the government and the opposition.
Report co-author Rick Roush, the Dean of the Melbourne School of Land and Environment, said most active soil scientists thought it would be “a stretch” for farmers to use the Carbon Farming Initiative – a policy that encourages soil-carbon projects and is backed by both major parties……
Sequestering carbon would likely be restricted to the top 10 centimetres of soil, and be limited by low-nutrient levels and water scarcity. Application of fertiliser would boost the sink capacity of soils but at a rising cost to farmers, Professor Roush said.
Better investment Carbon is slow to accumulate in the soil, and the agricultural methods mostly likely to encourage it, such as no-till farming, are already widely used, he said.
While the survey focused on Australian studies, Professor Roush said carbon bio-sequestration may not have much greater promise overseas. “Our gut suspicion is that it will also be disappointing even in areas that have better rainfall and better soil fertility to start with, for the same reasons,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s difficult to keep soil carbons accumulating when you continue to plough and cultivate annual crops.”http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/coalitions-soil-carbon-plan-unviable-study-finds-20130717-2q3e3.html#ixzz2ZQw8eNMA
Can you believe Queensland’s Energy Minister – about uranium and nuclear?
‘No plans’ for uranium mining and nuclear energy http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/no-plans-uranium-mining-nuclear-energy-queensland/1948775/ Rae Wilson 17th Jul 2013
WATER and Energy Minister Mark McArdle has categorically ruled out nuclear energy options in Queensland during an estimates committee hearing.
He said there were “no plans at all” during questioning from the Opposition about uranium mining and nuclear energy.
The LNP lifted a 30-year ban on uranium mining last year and has been undertaking research into best practice for resuming mining in some parts of the state for export.
Tony Abbott’s carbon theories seen as not intelligent
”He’s now mocked John Howard’s design of an emissions trading scheme,” she said. ”Imagine Tony Abbott at an international meeting talking to Barack Obama and David Cameron – both of whom believe in action on climate change – and telling them that, ‘Look, this is just about the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no one.”’…… Just one in 10 Australians supports the Coalition plan to pay companies to reduce carbon emissions, the survey of 1000 people by JWS Research found
Abbott hit by backlash, The Age, July 16, 2013 Heath Aston, Mark Kenn Tony Abbott’s insistence that Labor’s emissions trading scheme is an expensive exercise in buying and selling an ”invisible substance” has drawn derision from climate experts and industry.
As the Rudd government prepares to detail a path from the carbon tax to an ETS a year earlier than scheduled, the Opposition Leader faces claims he is treading his own path back to the ”politics of climate denial and scepticism”.
Mr Abbott’s assertion that an ETS – to be introduced on July 1, 2014, as the government will announce on Tuesday – was a ”so-called market in the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no one” sparked an immediate backlash, with critics pointing out that former Liberal prime minister John Howard designed a similar scheme. Professor Richard Dennis, an economist at the Australian National University, said Mr Abbott should make it clear whether he thinks radiation was harmful or not. Continue reading
Old men prefer nuclear power, women prefer solar power
Graph of the Day: Women prefer solar, old men like nuclear http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/graph-of-the-day-women-prefer-solar-old-men-like-nuclear-48452 By Giles Parkinson on 16 July 2013 Today’s graph of the day comes courtesy of The Climate Institute, and its new publication, Climate of the Nation. The results are from a poll of 1,009 Australians (over 18) taken in the first week of June.
Solar and wind are by far the most popular, and wind gained the most support from the previous year, jumping from 59 per cent to 67 per cent. Coal and nuclear were the least popular, with nuclear falling from 20 per cent to 13 per cent. No fossil fuel gained more than 28 per cent approval, and geothermal and ocean energy have yet to capture the imagination.
But while this graph is self explanatory, there were some interesting findings along gender lines….. Continue reading
Kevin Rudd’s Emissions Trading Scheme is far from satisfactory
Five reasons why Rudd’s ETS move should make us wince CRIKEY.COM GILES PARKINSON | JUL 15, 2013 Scrapping the carbon tax might push household costs higher rather than lower. That and other problems await the Labor Party as it seeks to wedge Tony Abbott with emissions trading……There are reasons why the manner of Rudd’s move on the carbon price should make us wince. Here are five of them …
The cost to households……
It’s about politics rather than policy……
A low price is useless for Australia……
A policy without ambition
There is no evidence that Labor is going to aim for a more ambitious emission reduction target……
And what of the opposition?…... http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/07/15/five-reasons-why-rudds-ets-move-should-make-us-wince/
Greens launch energy policy to help farmers
Greens pledge to help farmers save energy http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/greens-pledge-to-help-farmers-save-energy/story-e6frg6xf-1226679846791 BY:SUE NEALES, RURAL REPORTER The Australian July 16, 2013 THE Australian Greens have strengthened their grab for the rural vote at this year’s federal election, pledging $100 million in grants for farmers to save electricity and install solar and wind power.
Greens leader Christine Milne will release the Greens’ new farm energy policy in a speech to the NSW Farmers annual conference in Sydney today, building on her claim that the Greens are the political party most in tune with the interests of farmers and regional Australia.
Senator Milne said yesterday the $100m farm energy program would become a policy priority pushed by the Greens after this year’s federal election, regardless of who wins power.
She claimed only the Greens were prepared to help farmers switch to cleaner energy sources and cut their power bills.
“That’s because Tony Abbott doesn’t believe in climate change, and Kevin Rudd has to find billions to fund his backflip on carbon pricing,” she said. Continue reading
Aborigines’ 8 year battle against nuclear waste dumping
“We’ve been arguing for a long time that the Northern Territory was targeted because it was a politically weaker jurisdiction.
“Obviously it was easier for the Commonwealth to override any local opposition to the plan, which is what they’ve done.
“We want the Territorian Senators to actually stand up for the interests of the community, and not just roll over and say that we’ll accept Canberra’s waste dump plan.”
Dust-up over nuclear waste dump hits eight years http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-15/opposition-grinds-on-over-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump-plans/4820806 Jul 15, 2013 A Northern Territory traditional owner has vowed to keep fighting federal government plans for a radioactive waste dump on her land.
Dianne Stokes is in Melbourne today for a scheduled Federal Court directions hearing on the Muckaty waste dump.
Today also marks eight years since the Federal Government announced a plan to dump nuclear waste in the Territory. Continue reading
PolitiFact – Fact Checker finds Coalition’s carbon price claims are false
Coalition’s $15b carbon price claim ‘mostly false’ (includes videos) The Age, July 15, 2013 Peter Martin Economics correspondent What’s in a fact check?
Peter Martin explains how Fairfax’s fact-checking collaboration with PolitiFact, and reports back on its first target, the Coalition’s $15b carbon pricing claim.
The Coalition’s claim that moving swiftly to a floating carbon price would cost the budget up to $15 billion has been rated “mostly false” by the fact-checking service PolitiFact, which partners with Fairfax Media from Monday.
During the 40 days leading up to the election, PolitiFact will publish a checked fact a day on The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age websites.
The claim the change would mean “a black hole of up to $15 billion in the budget” was made by shadow treasurer Joe Hockey on the Channel Seven Sunrise program on Friday, June 28, two days after Kevin Rudd retook the Labor Party leadership…….More details are available at politifact.com.au. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/coalitions-15b-carbon-price-claim-mostly-false-20130714-2py81.html#ixzz2ZA7evzxO
Greens’ Christine Milne strikes a positive note for Australia’s clean energy revolution
Greens urge creation of clean energy map for the community http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/election-2013/greens-urge-creation-of-clean-energy-map-for-the-community/story-fn9qr68y-1226678708055 BY:SID MAHER The Australian July 13, 2013
THE Greens will today propose the creation of new economic zones to speed the development of renewable energy as part of an election campaign roadmap to cut the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Greens leader Christine Milne will unveil a policy allocating $2 billion to a task group within the Department of Energy to map Australia’s clean energy resources, involve local communities in planning energy projects and run a competitive tender to link clean energy hotspots to the national energy grid.
The policy argues “where our world-beating clean energy resources and genuine community support align”, renewable energy development zones should be established with quicker approval processes for clean energy projects. Continue reading
Silverton wind farm delayed on fear of Coalition election
Reviews of the renewables policy should occur every four years, rather than every two years, to give investors more confidence, according to a December recommendation from the Climate Change Authority, which is advising the government.
AGL Delays Australian Wind Farm on Government Policy Concern http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-11/agl-delays-australian-wind-farm-on-government-policy-uncertainty.html By James Paton – Jul 10, 2013 AGL Energy Ltd. (AGK), Australia’s largest developer of renewable energy projects, said it delayed a A$550 million ($509 million) wind farm because of uncertainty over government policy to boost investment in the industry.
AGL will defer hiring an engineering and construction contractor for the proposed Silverton wind farm in Australia’s New South Wales state and review its position in 2014, the Sydney-based company said today in an e-mailed statement.
“This decision does not indicate reduced enthusiasm for the project,” Nigel Bean, the head of power development at AGL, said in the statement.While Australia’s opposition coalition said in March that it’s committed to the nation’s 2020 renewable energy target, it called for a review of the policy in 2014 if it wins this year’s election, which must be held by Nov. 30. Australia plans to generate at least 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by the end of the decade as it seeks to reduce its dependence on coal.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s return to the leadership in Australia has sparked a surge in support for Australia’s Labor government, with a poll showing the party has closed the gap with Tony Abbott’s opposition. Labor rose to its highest level on a two-party preferred basis in almost nine months and is tied on 50 percent with the Liberal-National coalition, the Newspoll published July 9 in The Australian showed. Continue reading
Like King Canute, Wyong Council behaves as if the sea level will not rise
Actually – that headline is not really fair to King Canute. The Canute story is that his courtiers believed that King Canute had god-like powers, and could stop the tide coming in. Canute, in order to educate them, went down to the beach, and ordered the tide not to come in. However, as he expected, the tide did come in, and he got wet.
And the Wyong mayor and councillors might get we one day.
Sea level rise recommendation rejected http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-05/sea-level-rise-recommendation-rejected/4802480, 6 July 13
A sea-level rise recommendation for building heights in Wyong has been rejected by the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and Flood Plain Management Committee.
Wyong Council staff had recommended that an increase to floor level building heights of 400 millimetres was needed to allow for any future
sea level rises. Wyong Mayor Doug Eaton says the recommendation was rejected five votes to one.
“That recommendation of the committee now has to go to council to be either endorsed or changed by it my view it will almost certainly be
endorsed,” he said.
Victorian city of Ballarat could be powered by 100% renewable energy – Greens candidate
Greens’ renewable energy plan outlined http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1619753/greens-renewable-energy-plan-outlined/?cs=62 By PATRICK BYRNE July 5, 2013, THE Australian Greens candidate for Ballarat believes the city can one day be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Stephanie Hodgins-May yesterday announced a long-term plan to have Ballarat and the surrounding region invest more heavily in renewable energy.
She also slammed the federal opposition leader and Liberal members of parliament for denying the existence of climate change.
Ms Hodgins-May said the possibility of the region relying only on renewable energy was completely achievable.“When you look at a town like Daylesford, that whole town can be powered by only two wind turbines at the Hepburn wind farm,” she said.
“There is no reason why a city like Ballarat cannot one day rely solely on renewable energy.”
She said that both the Labor and Liberal parties needed to commit to a renewable future, instead of avoiding the issue and, in some instances, flatly denying the existence of climate change.“The Labor and Liberal parties are creating uncertainty with possible changes to the price on pollution and clean energy investment,” Ms Hodgins-May said.
Ms Hodgins-May announced plans for a “clean energy roadmap” that would help to one day power the city.The roadmap includes plans to increase the current renewable energy target, aiming to achieve 90 per cent renewable energy by 2030.The current government energy target is for at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity to come from renewable energy by 2020.
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/235274195556
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 