Heaven help us if Abbott gets into power – listen to his top business advisor Maurice Newman
From Wikipedia – Maurice Newman on Climate change and Wind Energy
In a speech to senior ABC staff on 10 March 2010 he said climate change was an example of “group-think”. According to an ABC PM account of the speech: “Contrary views had not been tolerated, and those who expressed them had been labelled and mocked. Mr Newman has doubts about climate change himself and says he’s waiting for proof either way.”
Interviewed by Brendan Trembath he said: “But climate change is at the moment an emotional issue but it really is the fundamental issue about the need to bring voices that have authority and are relevant to the particular issue to the attention of our audiences so that they themselves can make decisions. So that we are seen to trust and respect them sufficiently that they can make up their own minds about the various points of view that are being expressed through the medium of the ABC.”[7]
In answer to the question of whether he was a climate change denier he replied: “I am an agnostic and I have always been an agnostic and I will remain and agnostic until I’ve found compelling evidence on one side or the other that will move me. I think that what seems fairly clear to me is that the climate science is still being developed. There are a lot question marks about some of the fundamental data which has been used to build models that requires caution.”[8]
Wind farms
In an article published in The Spectator, Newman expresses views in opposition to wind energy. He wrote “I am not a conspiracy theorist, but we have witnessed the birth of an extraordinary, universal and self-reinforcing movement among the political and executive arms of government, their academic consultants, the mainstream media and vested private sector interests (such as investment banks and the renewables industry), held together by the promise of unlimited government money. It may not be a conspiracy, but long-term, government-underwritten annuities have certainly created one gigantic and powerful oligopoly which must coerce taxpayers and penalise energy consumers to survive.” His article concluded “But don’t expect help from academia, mainstream media or the public service. They are members of the same establishment and worship together at the altar of global warming. By ruthlessly perpetuating the illusion that wind farms can somehow save the planet, they keep the money flowing. All the while the poor become poorer, ever more dependent on welfare and colder in winter.” (“Against the wind”, 21 January 2012, http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/7589188/against-the-wind.thtml) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Newman
Australian mining companies are lobbying to remove Aboriginal right to veto mining on their land
Northern Territory Review of Aboriginal Land Rights https://www.amec.org.au/northern-territory-review-of-aboriginal-land-rights-4030 Association of Mining and Exploration Companies
December 10, 2012
Part IV of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1976) is under review to ensure that the regulations are fulfilling the purposes that were intended. AMEC, in consultation with various members that operate in the Northern Territory, have responded that significant and often unnecessary delays are inherent in the current system.
The main recommendations from the AMEC submission is the removal of the right of veto from traditional owners and the instating of the “Right to Negotiate” system that is used under Native Title Acts. Using this system, negotiating is not threatened by 5 year moratoriums and both parties have an opportunity to negotiate in good faith. Letter and submission to NT Aboriginal Land Commissioner re ALRA review
Inquiry into Australia’s fig leaf on the nuclear industry – Lucas Heights nuclear reactor
Nuclear facilities under scrutiny St George and Sutherland Shire
Leader, By Murray Trembath Dec. 28, 2012 A PARLIAMENTARY committee
inquiry into ANSTO’s proposed new nuclear medicine and Synroc waste
treatment plants is routine.
The Standing Committee on Public Works has begun a consultation
process into the $168million project, which will include a public
hearing in February.
A spokeswoman for the committee said the inquiry was ‘‘standard
procedure’’, required by law.
She said the committee had to be notified of all government works with
a proposed cost of more than $2million, and hold a public inquiry into
those valued at more than $15million to ensure they were fit for the
purpose and represented value for money. The committee comprises three
members from the Senate and six from the House of Representatives.
Under the proposal, the new nuclear medicine manufacturing plant would
be completed by 2016.
It would produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), used for the diagnosis of
heart disease, cancers, and kidney and gastrointestinal tract
disorders…..
For details of the proposal, or to make a submission to the inquiry,
visit: aph.gov.au/pwc.
Submissions close on January 24, and a public hearing is due to be
held in February, with details yet to be
announced.http://www.theleader.com.au/story/1200232/nuclear-facilities-under-scrutiny/?cs=12
Marathon’s Arkaroola uranium project: summary of events
Radioactive waste being stored in shed in Arkaroola, THE AUSTRALIAN BRYAN LITTLELY with Giuseppe Tauriello From: adelaidenow December 25, 2012 @,,,,,,,A MARATHON PROJECT
February 2005: Adelaide-based Marathon Resources commences exploration at the site around Mt Painter and Mt Gee in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
September 25, 2007: The sanctuary’s leaseholders raise concerns that wildlife and flora will be destroyed by a uranium mine proposed on the property. Marathon wants to mine almost 45 million tonnes of ore to produce 900 tonnes of uranium a year.
February 12, 2008: The State Government suspends exploration in Arkaroola indefinitely for what it describes as a significant breach of the exploration licence.
July 31, 2010: Marathon resumes its controversial exploration of the Mt Gee area after a major clean-up.
February 22, 2011: Then-Premier Mike Rann claims he is “unashamedly pro-mining” but is considering options to safeguard Arkaroola. He tells Parliament all options are on the table.
June 9, 2011: A Greens motion to protect the Arkaroola mountains from mining is passed in the Upper House.
July 22, 2011: Premier Rann announces the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary will never be mined, labelling it unique.
February 2012: The State Government pays Marathon $5 million in compensation for the exploration ban. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/radioactive-waste-being-stored-in-shed-in-arkaroola/story-e6frg6n6-1226543320645
Julian Assange promises new revelations and will stand for Senate in 2013
The WikiLeaks boss also mentioned his plans to run for a seat in the Australian Senate, indicating confidence that he would win in next year’s federal election. “In Australia, an unelected senator will be replaced by one that is elected,” he stated.
‘We continue to stand up to bullies’ ‘ every day ordinary people teach us that democracy is free speech.’
(includes video )Assange: WikiLeaks to release over a million new docs in 2013
http://rt.com/news/assange-wikileaks-christmas-speech-511/ 20 December, 2012, Despite all the difficulties the WikiLeaks faced in 2012, Julian Assange vowed to publish some 1,000,000 new documents in the coming year. In his Christmas speech he called for people to continue fighting for democracy “from Tahrir to London.” Continue reading
Bernie Fraser worried about Liberal Party’s subservience to fossil fuel lobby
In a separate interview with the AFR, Fraser said the Coalition’s vow to repeal the carbon tax “flies in the face of
science”.
Fraser fears Abbott at mercy of fossil fuel lobby on renewables http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/fraser-fears-abbott-at-mercy-of-fossil-fuel-lobby-on-renewables-30017#comment-30119 By Giles Parkinson 20 December 2012 The certainty that the renewable energy industry craves from government policy making may be short-lived – even if Climate Change Minister Greg Combet rubber stamps the Climate Change Authority’s recommendations for a steady course on the renewable energy target.
The CCA chairman, Bernie Fraser, told RenewEconomy in an interview last night that he feared a Coalition government would be swayed by the intense lobbying of the fossil fuel industry – despite the apparent bipartisan support for renewables
“I think that that lobbying that is being made to us, and the views being expressed by the fossil fuel generators and some other groups will be pretty powerfully directed towards the Coalition,” Fraser said. Continue reading
Julian Assange’s Wikileaks Party to enter Australian politics in 2013
Julian Assange confirms bid for Australian Senate, news.com.au 20 Dec 12 PLANS to set up an Australian WikiLeaks party are “significantly advanced”, the whistleblowing organisation’s most visible member says.
Julian Assange has told Australian media he intends to run for a Senate seat in the next election, adding that “a number of very worthy people admired by the Australian public” have expressed interest in standing for a yet-to-be registered Australian WikiLeaks party.
A draft party constitution has been prepared and is being subjected to legal review, Fairfax reports. Party registration with the Australian Electoral Commission would require confirmation of at least 500 members listed on the electoral roll.
Mr Assange told Fairfax he had not yet registered to vote but believes he will be able to register in either NSW or Victoria as an overseas voter.A “strategic decision” would determine which state he would run to represent, he said…..
http://www.news.com.au/national/julian-assange-confirms-bid-for-australian-senate/story-fncynjr2-1226535741180
Uranium lobbyist Michael Angwin attacks Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
Uranium industry calls for reform, Mining Weekly, By: Esmarie Swanepoel 19th December 2012JOHANNESBURG – The Australian Uranium Association (AUA) has called for a reform of the environmental assessment and approvals process in Australia, after federal Environment Minister Tony Burke delayed a decision on a new uranium mine in Western Australia.
Burke on Tuesday extended his decision deadline until March 31 next year, and requested more information on the project from projectdeveloper Toro Energy.
The AUA’s CEO Michael Angwin said on Wednesday that the best way to reform the environmental assessment and approvals process was to cease the “discriminatory treatment” that the industry received under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act….
Australia’s Liberal Party supporting Senate attack on wind farms
Research program required into potential health effects of wind farms BY: ANNABEL HEPWORTH The Australian December 20, THE federal Coalition yesterday revealed it would back a proposed crackdown on noise from wind farms.
In a surprise development, the opposition’s energy spokesman Ian Macfarlane confirmed broad support for a bill introduced by independent senator Nick Xenophon and Democratic Labor Party counterpart John Madigan that would stop wind farms that exceeded normal background noise by more than 10 decibels. subscribers only
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/research-program-required-into-potential-health-effects-of-wind-farms/story-e6frg6xf-1226540720864
Toro Energy’s new female leadership now landed with government rebuff for uranium project
No green light for Toro uranium mine, The Age, December 18, 2012 – Peter Ker Resources reporter Uranium aspirant Toro Energy has been dealt a blow on the eve of the Christmas break, with Environment Minister Tony Burke refusing toapprove the company’s plans for Australia’s next uranium mine at Wiluna.
While Mr Burke has not rejected the proposal, he has not approved it today as many in the market had expected.
Instead he has told Toro that more information on certain matters is required before the mine – located in Western Australia’s harsh interior – can proceed. Mr Burke has extended the deadline for a decision to be made to March 31, 2013, but has also indicated he may give his ruling earlier than that…..
While the market may not have expected a delay to approvals for the Wiluna mine, environment groups had been confidently predicting for some time that Toro had not done enough to satisfy the approval conditions.
A recent consultant’s report commissioned by the Conservation Council of Western Australia predicted that certain measures around storage of tailings were not adequate to meet federal approval. Council spokeswoman Mia Pepper said Mr Burke’s decision was prudent and responsible.
”The Toro project is ill-conceived,” she said. Australian Conservation Foundation spokesman Dave Sweeney said Toro
was a small company that would struggle to raise the funds needed to get the Wiluna project off the ground.
Toro will have a change of leadership in February when Mr Hall steps down and is replaced by Dr Vanessa Guthrie.
That transition has already made headlines for making Toro what is believed to be the only ASX company with an-all female leadership,given that its chairman is Erica Smyth.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/no-green-light-for-toro-uranium-mine-20121218-2bku9.html#ixzz2FWbwfzw7
Australian government refuses Toro ‘s Wiluna uranium project, requires further scrutiny
Peak state and national environment groups today welcomed the Federal Environment Minister’s increased scrutiny of WA’s first planned uranium mine – Toro Energy’s Wiluna project.
The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Conservation Council of Western Australia described Tony Burke’s refusal to approve the Toro Wiluna uranium project and to require further project detail as prudent and responsible.
“The Toro project is ill-conceived and the WA assessment has been dangerously deficient,” said CCWA campaigner Mia Pepper.
“The WA Government has broken its promise of a world’s best practice uranium industry and has failed to meet national standards. “Premier Barnett and the WA Government now urgently need to re-examine the environmental assessment process in WA and hold a comprehensive public inquiry into uranium mining.” Continue reading
Queenslanders vulnerable to UV radiation – new solariums banned
New solariums to be banned in Queensland, Brisbane Times, December 16, 2012 Bridie Jabour “….. CEO Cancer Council Queensland Professor Jeff Dunn congratulated the Newman Government on the move but said he would like to see a total ban on solariums in the next three years….. Professor Dunn said the government had confirmed earlier this week they will move toward a total ban on solariums.
‘‘Queensland has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world – more than 2600 people across the state are diagnosed with melanoma each year, yet it remains the single most preventable cancer,’’ he said. ‘‘A ban on solariums will eliminate potentially deadly skin cancers linked to sunbed use, no doubt saving the lives of thousands of Queenslanders.’’
In his announcement Mr Springborg said sun-beds and stand-up tanning machines that use exposure to ultraviolet radiation were dangerous. ‘‘People who use a solarium before the age of 35 have a 75% greater risk of melanoma,’’ he said.
He said evidence of growing community awareness of the risks posed by solarium use was abundant. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-solariums-to-be-banned-in-queensland-20121216-2bh6t.html#ixzz2FKubxb1U
Unanimous decision of Labor Northern Territory branch opposing Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan
The ALP conference endorse the motion that-
1. The Barkly ALP Sub Branch sternly opposes the establishment of a Nuclear Waste Storage Facility at Muckaty NT
1.A the Barkly sub branch opposes the Australian Government capacity to override the Northern Territory Legislation regarding establishing a Nuclear Waste Management facility in the NT.
1.B Rejects any legislation which would continue to target a site on the Muckaty land trust or any other site in Australia, for a nuclear waste dump that is not based on recognised science and international best practices.
1.C Notes the recent application by ANSTO for reprocessed spent fuel waste to return to the Lucas Heights facility in Sydney and acknowledges this as an opportunity to review radioactive waste management in Australia by conducting an independent and comprehensive public commission into all aspects of radioactive waste transport, storage and management in Australia.
New members joining Northern Territory’s Labor Party, in reaction against Federal nuclear waste dump plan
ALP NT president Matthew Gardiner says Labor needs to rebuild after its loss in this year’s Territory election.
“We probably have more members now than we ever had before because people are actually responding and reacting to some of the decisions made by the current Government.
NT Labor draws line in sand on nuclear waste dump http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-10/nt-alp-on-nuclear-waste-dump/4418778?section=nt By Allyson Horn, 10 Dec 12, The Northern Territory branch of the Australian Labor Party has passed a resolution against the construction of a radioactive waste facility at Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek. Continue reading
Corporate Australia determined to destroy environmental protection laws
Do you recognise the language of the industry bullies?
” this is just a speed bump along the way”
One of the main sticking points with those against the changes, which includes environmental groups and The Greens, is that the Commonwealth would not have right of veto over projects on environmental grounds..
Industry says backflip on environmental approvals may be just a bump in the road, ABC Rural News, By Babs McHugh, 07/12/2012 The mining industry says the decision by the Federal Government not to honour an agreement to streamline the environmental approvals process is a purely political one.
The Prime Minister has told the Business Advisory Forum at the Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting that the Federal Government wouldn’t relinquish any of its powers unless all states agreed to the same framework.
That’s despite a promise at the last COAG meeting to reduce duplication of environmental assessments between the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
It would have meant changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), which was enacted in 1999…. 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)
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