Australia’s Resources Department overestimates costs of renewable energy
Forecasts prepared last year for the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism as it helped plan the future electricity network suggest solar and wind power are far more costly than they actually are……The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, said changes to the cost of renewable energy would be noted
Green energy costs ‘out of date’, The Age, Ben Cubby, May 26, 2011 THE federal government and the power industry have massively overestimated the cost of renewable energy, according to new University of Melbourne research, commissioned by the the government’s own Garnaut climate change review. Continue reading
Australian Liberal Party Schism over Climate Change
Tony Abbott on his climate crusade | Herald Sun, May 21, 2011, TONY Abbott is behaving like the next election campaign has already started.He’s on a frantic crusade, visiting marginal seats and barnstorming the nation.And everywhere he goes he has one simple message: the carbon tax is toxic and will ruin your life……but he didn’t look happy when Malcolm Turnbull took fire at the Coalition’s “direct action” alternative, saying it would blow the Budget by 2050….Tony Abbott on his climate crusade | Herald Sun
Victorian ALP Conference motion to reaffirm Labor’s anti nuclear policy
The ALP Victoria Conference, noting that the Liberal Party in Victoria under Ted Baillieu and federally under Tony Abbott has continued to push for a domestic nuclear power industry in Australia.
And further, that
1. Nuclear energy is dangerous, dirty, expensive and slow;
2. As an energy source nuclear energy offers less power than renewables do, and in fact is a non-renewable resource; and
3. Nuclear energy programs are linked to nuclear weapons programs, and nuclear power plants are significant and serious potential targets for terrorists.
This Conference resolves to
1. Uphold and reaffirm Victorian Labor’s longstanding and principled opposition to nuclear energy and the construction of nuclear power stations; and
2. Oppose any construction of a nuclear power station in Victoria;
3. Raise awareness in the community of any Liberal Party attempts to introduce nuclear energy into Victoria by stealth.
Moved: Ali Vaughan (Melbourne FEA)
Seconded: Alex White (LHMU/ United Voice)
Martin Ferguson’s Nuclear Waste Dump Bill Now in the Too Hard Basket?
Nuclear waste dump debate on back burner, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 17 May 11, By Alison Middleton The Federal Government says it hopes the Senate will debate its proposed legislation for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory at the next sittings of the Upper House in June.
The bill paves the way for a dump to be built at Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek. It also also allows for alternative sites if that nomination does not go ahead.The bill was due to be debated last week but was not.A spokeswoman for Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says the Government hopes the bill will be debated at the next opportunity.Nuclear waste dump debate on back burner – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australia’s Minister For Nuclear Energy squashes solar power’s prospects
the budget cuts come as solar policy is in turmoil, as feed-in-tariffs, introduced over the past few years to support the installation of rooftop solar, are set to be wound back or abolished.
Spending, like meters, goes backwards and forwards, Sydney Morning Herald, Paddy Manning, May 14, 2011 The budget was dismal for the renewable energy industry and the Energy Minister just doesn’t get it.
MORE proof ricocheted through Twitter this week that federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson doesn’t ”get” renewables. Continue reading
Australian govt’s Budget – no interest in renewable energy revolution
The importance of the green revolution, the multi-trillion dollar clean-tech industry that the world’s largest companies predict will emerge within the next decade does not seem to register in our policy-making.
BUDGET 2011: Lean on clean,CLIMATE SPECTATOR, Giles Parkinson, 11 May 2011, This was not a good budget for the clean energy industry.
A whole host of schemes were either cut, closed, recycled or pushed back beyond current spending horizons. Some of the measures were expected, or even warranted. Others reflect that Australia finds it hard to see itself as an innovator and developer of new technologies. Continue reading
Northern Territory Labor Minister joins anti nuclear waste dump rally
Nuclear waste dump opponents rally, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Jano Gibson, 11 May 11 , A Northern Territory Labor Minister has called on his federal colleagues to abandon plans to set up a nuclear waste storage facility in the Northern Territory. Member for Barkly Gerry McCarthy was one of about 50 people who staged an anti-nuclear dump protest outside Parliament House in Darwin this afternoon.
Mr McCarthy says a federal court challenge to the Muckaty Station nomination shows the site is in dispute among Aboriginal clan groups and the nomination should be withdrawn.
Traditional owners, environmentalists and trade unionists called on federal politicians to block a bill before the Senate, which would allow a waste dump to be built at Muckaty Station, about 100 kilometres north of Tennant Cree……this is an issue for Australia and Australia’s first nuclear waste management facility.”
Lorna Fejo told the crowd she was a traditional owner from the Muckaty Station area and she was against a waste dump.
“I am a traditional owner of Muckaty by acceptance to the land, the law and the culture, and I say no to Muckaty being used as a dump,” she said.
Nuclear waste dump opponents rally – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Hidden under Budget news, Australian govt sneaks in Radioactive Waste Bill
Nuclear debate shrouded in budget, Sky News May 10, 2011 The Greens suspect the Senate nuclear waste debate was timed intentionally to coincide with the federal budget. Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said legislation to set up Australia’s first nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek, was listed for debate in the Senate on Tuesday, when the federal budget will be handed down.
‘It’s a sign that the government’s got something to hide … it’s curious timing,’ he told AAP. Continue reading
Australian government opposes any expansion of nuclear industry – Penny Wong
Wong said the federal government has made its position on the nuclear industry clear and it was also clear in opposing any expansion of the nuclear industry.
She said solar and wind powered energy should be considered, as should the potential for geothermal energy. “We do have these resources and we should use them,” she said.“We have an underinvestment in the energy sector.”
ENRICHING THE URANIUM DEBATE, Australian Mining, By Jessica Burke 9 May 2011“……Penny Wong recently warned South Australia against becoming involved in nuclear enrichment. The senior federal South Australian Minister and former climate change minister told ABC radio that enriching uranium or having power stations is “not the sort of vision I want for South Australia.” Continue reading
Australian govt’s rush to pass nuclear waste law – no consultation with Palmerston municipality
Palmerston Mayor nuclear fallout with Federal Government ABC News Darwin By Nicole Foote, 10 May 11 The Mayor of Palmerston has strong concerns over the transportation of radioactive nuclear waste from Darwin Port through his community. The proposed nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station is around 800 kilometres south-east of Palmerston, yet Palmerston Mayor Robert McLeod is very concerned about its impact.
If the dump site goes ahead, radioactive waste from other states and overseas is likely to be transported through Palmerston.
Looking at proposed transport routes, Mayor McLeod says the current recommendations from Linfox and Toll to the government would see waste transported in 20 foot containers either by rail or road from East Arm Port down the Stuart Highway. Either way, the Palmerston Mayor is concerned that neither the Territory or Federal government have consulted Palmerston Council so far.
“At this stage the Federal Government hasn’t spoken to anyone within regards to moving stuff throughout our municipality.”…… The Palmerston council has passed a motion for the Mayor to approach Energy Minister Martin Ferguson. Robert McLeod will be writing to the minister and meeting with him in Canberra this June to raise his concerns….. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/05/09/3211495.htm
Despite legal action, Australian govt to rush nuclear waste law
Traditional owners have begun a challenge to the nomination in the Federal Court.
Ownership of nuclear waste site disputed, Lindsay Murdoch in Tennant Creek, Sydney Morning Herald, May 9, 2011 DOCUMENTS unearthed in the National Archives challenge the Gillard government’s push to build a nuclear waste dump on disputed Aboriginal land near Tennant Creek, lawyers say. Continue reading
South Australian govt’s unseemly haste to push for uranium mine expansion
Concerns have been raised that the State Government will ram through approval of the $20 billion project on the same day the latest environmental impact statement is released – leaving no room for public consultation.
Concern at pace of mine approval | Adelaide Now, Russell Emerson May 08, 2011 THE latest version of the Olympic Dam expansion is likely to be released publicly on Thursday or Friday. Continue reading
Australian Parliament: Greens Senator tabling call for Independent Commission on Nuclear Waste
Senator Ludlam plans to table a counter proposal calling for an independent commission to make decisions on nuclear waste disposal…..” Mr Ludlam had “real concerns about the obsession the government has with location the material at remote Aboriginal sites”.
NT nuclear waste dump plan forges ahead 9 NEWS, May 7 2011 By Fiona Willan, “…….WA-based Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam told ninemsn it was “grossly inappropriate” for the nuclear waste dump to be debated in Parliament while there was an ongoing court case over the proposed land. Continue reading
Australian Politics – Secret Deals on Nuclear Waste Importing
“We would return an enormous amount of money’ – Bob Hawke
Mr Sweeney said there was a bi-partisan push for nuclear waste dumping….“We are seeing increasing amounts of back-room deals in the wake of Fukushima in Japan,” he said.
Nuclear debate heats up behind closed doors, Government News, :06/05/2011 By Lilia Guan, Additional reporting by Paul Hemsley According to Bob Hawke the greatest contribution Australia could make to the nuclear cycle would be to take the world’s nuclear waste.
Martin Ferguson pushes uranium industry, but not nuclear
A nuclear Australia is inevitable: Rio chairman, Sydney Morning Herald, Courtney Trenwith, May 6, 2011“….The Minister for Resources and Energy. Martin Ferguson, was not persuaded by Mr du Plessis’s argument, saying Australia did not need nuclear power given the country’s abundance of low-cost and reliable alternative energy sources, namely fossil fuel and renewable.
Mr Ferguson said the Fukushima incident had not changed the government’s position on uranium exports. It would continue to support an expansion of uranium mining and the supply of the resource to countries that were signatories to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty…..’Australia’s uranium industry will continue to expand and my immediate priority is ensuring this happens in the proper way.”…… http://www.smh.com.au/business/a-nuclear-australia-is-inevitable-rio-chairman-20110505-1ea83.html#ixzz1LaYkrZiv
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 