How Australian governments gave BHP special treatment, and free groundwater
Public resources for private profit: free water for the largest open-pit mine in the world Coober Pedy Regional Times, by: Nectaria Calan, 13 Oct 11 In August mining giant BHP Billiton announced record financial results for the 2011 financial year, recording a total net profit of US$23.95 billion, nearly double its 2010 figure of US$13.01 billion.Soouth Australia’s Mike Rann gives freehold to BHP over Olympic Dam uranium mining lease
“They have a code of silence at that mining lease that’s stronger than any code in downtown
Calabria,” “They even have the government tied up because when BHP says jump, the government says how high.”
Yesterday, Rann again signed off on BHP’s powerful proprietary interests over the site. BHP gets freehold over the extended Olympic Dam mining lease. Few mining companies have this ultimate level of control.
The estimated mining royalties for South Australia ($350 million) from the “world’s biggest mine in human history” are around one tenth of what Western Australia pulls every year from iron ore.
Mike Rann delivers Kloppers’ Kingdom in Melbourne, Crikey, by Kevin Naughton of InDaily, 13 Oct 11,
“…….Rann was in Melbourne at BHP Billiton’s headquarters to sign the indenture agreement that specifies several of the terms under which BHP can expand its mine at Olympic Dam. Marius Kloppers, the busy global boss of the company with more than $72 billion turnover, held the whip hand on the Premier of a state with annual turnover of about $13 billion.
The indenture agreement goes before Parliament next week where there will be some token debate, but little in the way of exhaustive analysis of the terms of a deal that gives BHP 45 years of certainty, control and exclusive access rights that make this mine site look more like Kloppers’ Kingdom than a part of South Australia. Continue reading
Unlikely to succeed – Tony Abbott’s “pledge in blood” to repeal carbon tax law
Abbott’s gory pledge would be a legal bloodbath , Crikey.com 13 Oct 11, by Fergus Green, a lawyer and policy analyst specialising in climate change Abbott’s hyperbole has certainly attracted the headlines, but it betrays a curious tactic. By using such uncompromising rhetoric John Howard gave us the “non-core promise”. Now Tony Abbott has added a new category to the hierarchy of political commitment with his “pledge in blood” to repeal the carbon tax, which passed the lower house of Parliament yesterday (unless, of course, that was just an “unscripted remark” made “in the heat of verbal combat”.)
Abbott has left himself no room to move if repealing the nascent scheme becomes legally impossible or popularly unpalatable.
No amount of blood-pledging, pinkie-swearing, or scout’s-honouring will change the constitutional and political obstacles that an Abbott government would face if it tried to repeal (what will soon be) theClean Energy Act and its 18 associated acts of Parliament….. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/10/13/abbotts-gory-pledge-would-be-a-legal-bloodbath/
Not all smooth sailing for BHP’s plan to expand Olympic Dam uranium mine
agreement is conditional on the Indenture Act passing through South Australia’s Parliament. And with the Greens and Opposition poring over the details, that progression is far from assured.The company has signed a preliminary agreement with the state’s Premier Mike Rann. BHP Billiton now has a year to reach a final investment decision. Mr Rann says today will go down in history.
But the Opposition says he has compromised important negotiations. Nance Haxton reports. Continue reading
Poll shows Australians rate solar energy tops, and nuclear energy bottom
Solar power tops poll of positive perceptions, The Age, Michelle Grattan, October 10, 2011 SOLAR energy has a very positive rating in the public’s mind, while the nuclear industry and coal-fired power stations are at the bottom when people are asked about their perceptions of energy industries……
A UMR survey last month found more than eight in 10 people had a positive view of solar energy; only 10 per cent were negative. Three-quarters were positive on renewable energy. The gas industry also scored positively (61 per cent), but those rating the coal industry favourably outstripped those seeing it negatively relatively narrowly (45-38 per cent). People were equally divided about the oil industry (42 per cent each).
Only 36 per cent viewed the coal seam gas industry in a good light, compared with 41 per cent who were negative. Coal-fired power stations, which have copped bad publicity in the carbon debate, were seen negatively by almost half (48 per cent) accompanied by 34 per cent who had a benign view. The nuclear industry scored 51 per cent negative and 33 per cent positive in the online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1000…… Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/solar-power-tops-poll-of-positive-perceptions-20111009-1lfoh.html#ixzz1aQmXRcmj
Victoria’s Baillieu government hands out coal mining leases on coastal and agricultural land
So who is benefiting from the Baillieu government’s assault on the environment?
Big Mining. In spades….
Hundreds of brown coal mining leases have now been issued by this government for the very areas out of bounds to wind farms — coastal regions and areas of significant environment value….Oh, and Victoria’s prime agricultural land,
.. The overriding advantage of wind farms is that agricultural production or grazing can continue unimpeded. Open-cut coal mines can never be converted to agricultural land and coal seam gas wells are notorious for leaking toxic chemicals into aquifers…..
How ‘Red’ Ted Baillieu hoodwinked Victorian voters, Independent Australia, Sandi Keane, 7 Oct 11 It’s hard to know where to start on the transformation of Ted Baillieu from the champion of small-l liberalism to the worst environment Premier on record. Conservative politics these days displays little conscience about robbing future generations of their heritage…..
cattle are OK in National Parks but not so wind farms. Draconian new legislation, Amendment VC82, prohibits wind farms from being constructed in National Parks, near the coast or any area thought to have “environmental value”.
The earlier Amendment VC78 by the Baillieu government already gave local councils the power to reject wind farms. Interestingly, if you read through the legislation, you’ll see that the designated “no go” zones for wind farms are the very same areas of the state singled out by the Landscape Guardians whose agenda appears to be stopping wind farms from replacing coal fired power. For more facts on the Guardian’s phony health claims, their links to the mining industry and the climate skeptics in the Liberal Party, read here. Continue reading
Australia’s Greenhouse Mafia lobbying hard to undermine Clean Energy Finance Corporation
The hardest thing is that the big polluters are working to stop the CEF being passed and at the same time, actively lobbying to turn it into more compensation, undermining the carbon price……. to divert funding from genuine energy efficiency merit to be used as “compensation” for big polluters who do not want to actually pay a price on carbon. For some people, too much pork is barely enough!
I am keen to see the whole $1.2 billion of the CTP invested in good programs and believe it will be. It is certainly possible for ambitious investments to be made through an unambitious funding scheme….
Australia’s $1.2 Billion Clean Technology Program, Renewable Energy World, By Dan Cass , October 6, 2011 When the Labor Government, Greens and independents pass the Clean Energy Future (CEF) package later this year, there will be more than $13.2 billion on the table for renewables and low-carbon investment. Continue reading
How Australia’s Liberal Party plans to help corporations overcome environmental regulations
Under this Liberal National Party plan, a nuclear obsessed government such as South Australia’s, could make environmental decisions that really affect the whole country – C.M.
Coalition’s Greg Hunt to create one-stop approval, BY:SID MAHER , THE AUSTRALIAN, October 01, 2011 GOVERNMENT environmental approval processes will be streamlined and consent will be deemed to have been granted if deadlines are not met under a Coalition policy aimed at lifting productivity and attracting investment.
Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt plans changes, to be unveiled this weekend, to simplify federal environment laws and regulations to allow a “one-stop shop” approach to major environmental approvals.
“We absolutely want to radically decrease costs, delays and uncertainties in the approvals process,” Mr Hunt said….
Under the plan, states and territories will be able to act as a one-stop shop for all environmental approvals. In the case of major projects, such as offshore assessments, the states could hand their approvals to the commonwealth as the sole designated assessor….
Mr Hunt said the incentive for participation by individual states would be “competitive federalism”, with states that choose to participate having a “significant advantage”.
Australian govt’s corporate welfare to the Big Non Australian BHP Billiton
“The fuel tax credits effectively act as a massive subsidy for BHP Billiton, begging the questions as to why the Federal Government is subsidising one of the largest mining companies in the world.” said Nectaria Calan of Friends of the Earth Adelaide.
Once known as the “Big Australian,” BHP is now 76 per cent foreign owned, so whilst the Federal Government is funneling taxpayers money into the company, the vast majority of its profits will end up overseas.
BHP Billiton – record profits and still on corporate welfare, 30 Sept 11 The Olympic Dam Expansion Draft Environmental Impact Statement states that the proposed new mine will require 346 million litres of diesel per year in its initial development stage, 394 million litres per year in the intermediate stage, and over 490 million litres per year at full production. This is in addition to the 26 million litres per year currently used at the mine.
Under current fuel tax credit rates, BHP stands to gain $128 million per year in diesel rebates in the initial development period of the mine, $144 million per year in the intermediate stage, and $178 million per year at full production. Continue reading
Victoria’s Baillieu Liberal government kills off community wind farm plans
As of last month, the project is on hold, possibly dead, after the Baillieu government introduced Australia’s most restrictive wind farm regulations.
Libs sweep wind from turbine sails, The Age, Adam Morton. September 24, 2011 — Nearly four years ago, a small group of Woodend residents hatched a plan to power the historic town entirely on renewable energy. Three wind turbines would be built in a pine forest six kilometres south of the town to generate enough energy to run not only Woodend, but also nearby Macedon, Mount Macedon and Newham.
Wind speeds were modelled to determine the best location, community forums held, more than 500 signatures collected in support, and initial steps taken to start raising the $14 million needed. A smaller number of people expressed objections. Continue reading
Australia gets Tea Party style anti carbon tax movement
The ABC’s Hungry Beast featured him as one arm of a very corrupt and conspiratorial octopus, in a report on US
billionaires David and Charles Koch earlier this year.
But Andrews’ latest project, Stop Gillard’s Carbon Tax, is his most successful yet
Meet the man behind the anti-carbon tax lobby, RACHEL HILLS, 17TH SEPTEMBER 2011 The Spectator The New York Times dubbed it a ‘tempest with echoes of a tea party.’ Julia Gillard has called it the ‘Americanisation’ of Australian politics. Others say it’s just the latest iteration of the city-rural divide that saw the rise of One Nation in the 1990s, and the ‘Joh for Canberra’ revolt that thwarted John Howard’s ambitions in the 1980s.
For Tim Andrews, one of the masterminds behind the anti-carbon tax protests that have Labor’s hold on government on tenterhooks, it’s the start of something bigger: the rise of an activist centre-right with the potential to revolutionise Australian politics the same way the Tea Party has in the United States. Continue reading
Why there are only a few claims to Australian government from nuclear veterans
– “John” comments on Adelaide Now, 23 Sept 11 Mr Snowdon said “the Department of Veterans Affairs had received claims from a small number of personnel not currently eligible for compensation and health care from their participation in the British nuclear test program” Small number, because like my Grandfather who was there, they have passed away due to some form of cancer..If you stall long enough neither the British or the Australian governments will need to pay a dollar in compensation 57 plus years is a long time to admit you were at fault.
South Australia’s Liberal Party says nuclear power uneconomic, goes for gas and trigeneration
South Australian Liberals to look at trigeneration power, VERITY EDWARDS, The Australian, September 23, 2011 SOUTH Australian Opposition leader Isobel Redmond has committed a future Liberal government to investigating trigeneration power, despite concerns about its cost and reliability.
Delivering a headland speech to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in Adelaide, Ms Redmond yesterday criticised the introduction of a carbon tax and price as “economically insane”, described nuclear power as uneconomical and said gas would be the state’s logical source of future energy.
“If elected, a Redmond Liberal government will conduct a feasibility study into a trigeneration network in Adelaide,” Ms Redmond told the lunch. Gas-fired trigeneration plants produce electricity and harness the heating and cooling by-products for use within buildings.
The City of Sydney last year announced it wanted to establish a network of trigeneration plants capable of generating 330MW of electricity by 2030, or up to 70 per cent of Sydney’s needs….http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/south-australian-liberals-to-look-at-trigeneration-power/story-e6frgczx-1226144067671
Stawell, Victoria, calls for political action for renewable energy
“We’re keen to see as much of that funding go to renewables and energy efficiency as possible and not polluting energy sources such as fossil gas and clean coal.”…
The group is calling on Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest to get behind the renewable energy elements of this package.
Climate group supports legislation for funding, The Stawell Times News, MICHELLE DELISLE 16 Sep, 2011 STAWELL – Stawell Climate Action Group welcomes the renewable energy commitments delivered by the carbon price package and is calling for them to be rolled out as soon as possible.
“There is $10 billion of new funding for renewable energy over five years which is a great result for Australia and for the Wimmera,” said Julie Andrew, Stawell Climate Action group spokesperson.
“We’re keen to see as much of that funding go to renewables and energy efficiency as possible and not polluting energy sources such as fossil gas and clean coal.” Continue reading
Australian government’s deceitful pretense that N.T. nuclear waste dump is for medical wastes
“The claim that a waste facility is required to support nuclear medicine is mischievous scare-mongering,”
Muckaty dump justification ‘nonsense, Channel 9 TV News 12 sept 11 A nuclear expert has taken aim at claims a planned waste dump in remote Australia is needed to house low level radioactive waste from hospitals.
Speaking ahead of a Senate debate this week on the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, Dr Peter Karamoskos was critical of plans for the proposed dump. He said most radioactive isotopes generated from nuclear medicine were designated as “very low level” waste, which decayed to safe levels with in a few days to a few weeks. Continue reading
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 