Greens congratulate Australian government on putting security obligations ahead of uranium companies’ greed
The Government has decided not to violate one of the world’s most important treaties,” said Senator Ludlam…..”Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd should be congratulated for putting Australia’s international security obligations ahead of the interests of uranium mining companies.”
Greens urge Labor to maintain principled stand on selling uranium to India, Scott Ludlam 20th January 2011, The Greens have applauded the decision of the Federal Government to reject the Indian government’s call for an end to Australia’s ban on selling uranium to India. Continue reading
Political donation motivated by concern for a baby’s future
What makes someone give $1.6m to a political party? Sydney Morning Herald, 8 Jan 2011, “….He [Graeme Wood] gave $1.6 million, [to the Greens] almost certainly the largest single political donation by an individual in Australian history….Wood’s driving motivation is personal, rather than political. Having stepped back from executive duties at Wotif, he has time to think. A one-year-old grandson, Liam, focuses his mind on what the world will be like in a century.”The only agenda is my concern for the environment and what it’s going to be like when my grandson is 20 or 40 or 60,” Wood says. What makes someone give $1.6m to a political party?
Australians support Wikileaks, disagree with Prime Minister
“the most significant finding from the polling is the almost complete lack of support for prosecuting Mr Assange … The public is overwhelmingly against this.”
Strong support for WikiLeaks among Australians, The Age, Tim Lester, January 6, 2011 AUSTRALIAN voters are sharply at odds with Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the release of classified US government cables, a poll shows. Continue reading
Western Australia’s premier enthusiastic for nuclear power, (just not in W.A.!)
Mr Barnett did not nominate a preferred site for a reactor but has previously ruled out WA…….
State Labor leader Eric Ripper strongly rejected the push,..“Even setting aside the environmental and waste disposal arguments, nuclear power is just too expensive,” Mr Ripper said……..
Barnett pushes nuclear future Amanda O’Brien The Australian December 28, 2010 WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett has stepped up his call for the nation to start planning for a nuclear future. Continue reading
Australian Labor Party’s right wing – big push on behalf of nuclear lobby
Anna Bligh opens door to nuclear powe Jamie Walker and Imre Salusinszky : The Australian * December 24, 2010 ANNA Bligh has backed calls for the Labor Party to review its policy on nuclear power.……Minister Martin Ferguson, right-wing Australian Workers Union leader Paul Howes, former NSW premier Bob Carr and Labor senators Steve Hutchins and Mark Bishop in supporting a review of the ALP’s long-standing ban on nuclear power, most likely at the party’s national conference next December…… Continue reading
Australian Conservation Foundation condemns ‘quick and dirty’ nuclear waste dump report
“The proposed law removes appeal rights from the Muckaty community, suspends key Indigenous and environmental protections and overrides all Commonwealth, State and Territory laws that might delay or frustrate the opening of a waste dump…..The timing appears a cynical attempt to further avoid public scrutiny
Quick and dirty report won’t solve long and dirty problem of nuclear waste, 23 Dec 10, A parliamentary report containing a single recommendation – that the House of Representatives pass the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill – has failed to address the Bill’s serious deficiencies, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson, Top Nuclear Salesman will lead push for nuclear power
Unlike fellow Labor party member Mr Ferguson, Ms
Gillard says that in Australia, “nuclear power doesn’t stack up as an economically efficient source of power”.
Nuclear Debate On the Agenda for 2011 | Australia | Epoch Times, By Shar Adams, 22 Dec 10,“………..The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has long had a policy of caution about the nuclear industry, stating in its National Platform that uranium and the nuclear fuel cycle “present unique and unprecedented hazards and risks”.Their nuclear policy lists threats to human health, nuclear weapons manufacture and dangerous nuclear waste as major concerns. The policy will “prohibit the establishment in Australia of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle” Continue reading
Labor heavies and Chinese interests push for uranium mining in Arkaroola wilderness
Labor powerbroker and union heavyweight Paul Howes has also lent his support to mining in Arkaroola……”Greens MLC Mark Parnell said the project was being pushed by “a conga-line of Labor luminaries”. “The only reason it is still alive is due to powerful and influential lobbying by ALP mates,”
- Labor mates’ lobbying a ‘threat’ to Arkaroola | Adelaide Now, Sarah Martin, December 21, 2010 POWERFUL lobbyists connected to the Labor Party are winning the fight to mine Arkaroola, say the directors of its wilderness sanctuary. Continue reading
South Australian govt weak on protecting Arkaroola from uranium mining
Among opponents is Liberal powerbroker Nick Minchin, who believes Arkaroola’s outstanding environmental and heritage values must be protected by a ban on mining.
Marathon Resources gets conditional approval for uranium exploration at Arkaroola * Andrew Main * The Australian * December 21, 2010 MARATHON Resources has been given the green light by the South Australian government to resume exploration for uranium. Continue reading
Australia’s Prime Minister alienates many, with her reaction to Julian Assange
With this, especially the declaration of illegality, Julia Gillard offended the sensibilities of hundreds of thousands of Labor supporters, many of whom won’t be coming back to the ALP
PM tanks at home, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Dec 10, Gillard’s ill-advised judge and jury comments convicting Julian Assange alienated a swag of Labor supporters for good.
THE WikiLeaks revelations have been an immense political disaster for the Gillard government. All it took was two sentences from the Prime Minister during a radio interview nine days ago, as the first of the 250,000 US State Department documents held by the website were published in overseas newspapers: “I absolutely condemn the placement of this information on the WikiLeaks website. It is a grossly irresponsible thing to do and an illegal thing to do.” Continue reading
Wikileaks reveals the influence of BHP Billiton over Australian government
The revelation is embarrassing for BHP Billiton, which has consistently refused to be drawn on suggestions it had engaged in a campaign
How BHP sank Rio deal, The Age, Philip Dorling and Richard Baker December 11, 2010 MINING giant BHP Billiton lobbied intensively behind the scenes to wreck a $21billion investment deal between rival Rio Tinto and Chinese government-owned Chinalco, leaked US government cables reveal. Continue reading
Queensland coastal cities suggested for nuclear plants
Nuclear plant for Gladstone? Gladstone Observer Kieran Moran | 10th December 2010 GLADSTONE has been identified as a likely site for a nuclear power plant. Continue reading
Australian Greens urge transparency on BHP’s new statement on Olympic Dam expansion
Greens press for the release of BHP report on Olympic Dam project in South Australia – International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas | December 3, 2010 Korea negotiators reach… BHP Billiton Ltd acted too slow for public convenience in submitting its formal response on environmental concerns about its proposed mining expansion at Olympic Dam in South Australia… Greens press for the release of BHP report on Olympic Dam project in South Australia – International Business Times
Even Australia’s Liberal Party knows that the nuclear waste problem is unsolvable
“My experience with dealing with justlow level radioactive waste from our research reactor tells me it would be impossible to get any sort of consensus in this country around themanagement of the high level waste a nuclear reactor would produce.” Former Liberal Party Senator Nick Minchin (in charge of the failed attempt to impose a national nuclear waste dump in South Australia from 1998-2004.)
Nuclear power, Watt a waste – On Line Opinion , Jim Green and Natalie Wasley, – 6/12/2010, Continue reading
South Australian govt bias in favour of BHP’s uranium mine
Acting Premier Paul Holloway said “It is top priority as far as the Government is concerned.”
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 