Australian Greens giving new hope for solar energy
The Greens say they have ensured $100 million will flow into Solar Flagships within the forwards estimates period (before 2015) with the remainder of the funding to follow. A round table discussion between the government and Greens will convene to discuss how best to utilise solar energy funding into the future, including the role of feed-in tariffs as a necessary mechanism in the uptake of solar energy in Australia….
Australia’s Solar Flagships May Not Be Sunk, Renewable Energy News, by Energy Matters, 18 Feb 2011, The federal government’s Solar Flagships program, which was to have faced the axe to help pay for damage caused by the Queensland floods, is now back on the national agenda after the Australian Greens agreed to support the Prime Minister’s flood levy. Continue reading
Australian Labor Party in the grip of mining companies
The great evil of Native Title Act was that it pretended to legitimise ‘extinguishment’ of land rights for the great majority of Aboriginal people…….
The Trouble with Labor, – Westender – Brisbane’s Oldest Independent, Online Newspaper. 15 Feb 2011, Tim Anderson sees trouble ahead for Australia, while we still cling to our illusions about the Labor Party The mining companies – at the centre of the Australian oligarchy – were the main beneficiaries of the East Asian boom, yet have refused to share the benefits. Nor have we demanded it of them. This issue, of course, was behind the coup against Kevin Rudd…. Continue reading
Mining companies’ victory over Australian Government
The stunning victory by the mining houses over the federal government was a victory of renters over owners, and a triumph of misinformation and emotion over logic……..It is worth remembering, too, that some of our richest mines are directly and discretely owned by foreign companies.
An opportunity missed on mining super tax, Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Verrender, February 15, 2011 “…..the most extraordinary transfer of wealth in the nation’s history is taking place right under our noses……Tomorrow BHP Billiton will deliver one of the biggest half-year earnings results in Australian and British history. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson forced to eat his words on uranium to India
No to Indian uranium sales, The Age, Katharine Murphy, February 11, 2011 AUSTRALIA will not sell uranium to India until it signs a nuclear non-proliferation treaty and completes a safeguards agreement, Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says. Continue reading
Australian Greens demand that govt come clean on uranium sales to India
Greens nuclear spokesman Scott Ludlum says it appears the government is playing a “double game”…..Labor senator Doug Cameron says Australia should not entertain the idea of trading uranium with India until the developing nation met international obligations….
Please explain uranium move, Greens demand, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 Feb 2011, The Australian Greens are demanding the Gillard government explain whether it privately supports uranium sales to India. Leaked WikiLeaks cables reveal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told US officials in 2009 a deal to supply India with nuclear fuel could be reached Continue reading
South Australian Labor rejects nuclear power
“Nuclear reactors are traditionally more expensive to build than traditional energy sources and have significant environmental and cost issues associated with long-term storage and management of high level nuclear waste.
“The economics of nuclear power do not add up.
Labor blocks nuclear power bid for state, Adelaide Now Daniel Wills February 11, 2011 LABOR has blocked a push for South Australia to consider nuclear power to meet energy demands. Continue reading
DUMPING ON DEMOCRACY – THE NATIONAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT BILL,
The Government plans to ignore and override legislation passed in the NT Parliament which seeks to ban the imposition of nuclear dumps – the Northern Territory Nuclear Waste Transport, Storage and Disposal (Prohibition) Act 2004. The NT Government remains steadfastly opposed to the dump plan…..The Bill also provides wide-ranging powers to override Commonwealth legislation.
PROPOSED RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP AT MUCKATY, NT by Jim Green, February 2011, “……….Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson is driving the plan for a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty. The legislation he has put forward – the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill – is heavy-handed and undemocratic. Continue reading
South Australian govt allows uranium company to despoil unique wilderness
Senator Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the state Labor government…Wilderness Society environmental scientist Matt Turner said most South Australians were opposed to mining in Arkaroola.
Minchin blasts Flinders Ranges mining permit, Sydney Morning Herald, February 7, 2011 Uranium explorer Marathon Resources has had its licence renewed to operate in the sensitive Arkaroola region of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson shows his true colours as nuclear salesman
Mr Ferguson said nuclear power was making great strides. “It is a proven clean-energy technology,” he told The Australian yesterday. “In a very short period, it will get cheaper (!)…..
Ferguson steps up push for nuclear energy The Australian, Christian Kerr February 03, 2011 AUSTRALIA could be contemplating nuclear power in as little as four years, according to Energy Minister Martin Ferguson. Continue reading
Australia’s mining companies spent $22 million to get rid of Prime Minister Rudd
The industry’s national body, the Minerals Council of Australia, spent $17.2 million, mainly on TV advertisements; BHP Billiton spent $4.2 million; Rio Tinto just over $537,000,…
A snip at $22m to get rid of PM, The Age, Mark Davis, February 2, 2011 HOW much does it cost to bring down a prime minister? The answer: a tad over $22 million. Continue reading
Set up disaster relief funds, postpone corporate tax cuts, say Australian Greens
“While we are open to the idea of a levy, the Greens see establishing a long-term, well-resourced disaster relief fund as a high priority in the face of climate change.” Senator Milne added deferring the top end corporate tax cuts planned for July 1, 2013, was a better way to save money.
Greens angry at climate cuts, Sydney Morning Herald, January 27, 2011 – The Australian Greens say they are angry the federal government flood recovery plan is turning its back on what it says is the disaster’s cause – climate change…… Continue reading
Change date for Australia Day – Premier defends Greens’ stance
Premier defends Greens’ move to shift Australia Day ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 27 Jan 2011, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has defended a call by the Greens to shift the date of Australia Day. Continue reading
Gillard cuts climate change programs, but not the perks for polluters
Gillard government criticised for slashing funding for green energy projects to pay for flood rebuilding Kerrie Sinclair The Courier-Mail January 27, 2011 THE clean energy industry has criticised the Gillard government for cutting funding for climate change technology to help pay for the flood recovery. Continue reading
A realistic answer to Josh Frydenberg’s pro nuclear article
Seriously, let’s get down to brass tacks: would there be a nuclear power station in what is now Australia’s third-biggest city? Where exactly within SEQ would you put it? What would happen if there was a “rain event” like 2011 or 1974? What would happen to a nuclear reactor in a “fire event” like Victoria 2009? Can you promise that a nuclear future won’t feature fire and rain on that scale?
Don’t be shy, Politically homeless, 26 Jan 2011, We at the Politically Homeless Institute warned against inserting Josh Frydenberg into key national debates. Quarantining him at The Australian was a smart move but insufficient. In THE AUSTRALIAN 26/01 /2011) he’s going on about nuclear power…… Continue reading
Will South Australia sacrifice a national wilderness to a uranium company’s greed?
ARKAROOLA IS:
• on the Register of the National Estate
• a recognised geological monument,
• a Sanctuary under the National Parks & Wildlife Act
• an Environmental Class A zone under the Development Act
LET’S STAND UP FOR ARKAROOLA!, Amanda Rowe, 21 Jan 2011,
In 2007 mining company Marathon Resources had its exploration licence suspended after illegally dumping 22,800 bags of radioactive waste in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and stealing Fluorite from a site classified as a Geological monument. 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 