Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Carbon tax could fund a renewable energy Australia

by investing the revenue raised by taxing carbon emissions (or fossil fuels) in renewable energy and clean technology research, development, demonstration and deployment…establish a National Clean Technology Fund.

Carbon tax could be the ticket for a greener Australia ›  (ABC Environment) by Leigh Ewbank. 27 Sept 10, “……The Gillard government’s new cross-party Climate Change Committee aims to spearhead carbon-pricing legislation in the next term. Continue reading →

September 28, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics | , , , , , | 1 Comment

South Australian govt promotes rare earth complex

The Whyalla rare earths complex will process mineral concentrate from the Nolans project, in the Northern Territory.

Arafura’s rare earth complex gets priority status Mining Weekly, By: Esmarie Swanepoel, 24th September 2010 PERTH   – Rare earth developer Arafura Resources on Friday announced that South Australia Urban Development and Planning Minister Paul Holloway had declared the Whyalla rare earths complex a major project….. Continue reading →

September 25, 2010 Posted by | politics, South Australia, uranium | , , | Leave a comment

Martin Ferguson represents uranium lobby, not Australian public

Mr Ferguson’s determination to override environmental processes had him putting investors ahead of the Australian public. “These processes catch not just risks to the environment but risks during transport, to public health, occupational health and safety, and heritage,” …

“The minister is quite brazenly telling the market these things will be shouldered aside.”

Uranium push at environment’s expense, Sydney Morning Herald,  September 22, 2010 Continue reading →

September 23, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, people, politics, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan – a bad idea that now might fail

The legislation for the dump, which would solve Australia’s waste storage problem to the detriment of some traditional owners who oppose the Northern Territory development, must now pass a trickier Lower House.

Greens hit back at Govt uranium plans | Perth Now September 22, 2010“.….conservationists are pleased they have bought more time on the controversial Muckaty waste dump. Continue reading →

September 23, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics | , , , , | Leave a comment

Australian govt in the grip of uranium industry

Mining tax policy overseers – Don Argus (from BHP Billiton),  Keith Spence, (from Rio Tinto)  , Toro Energy  Erica Smyth, (from Toro Energy).

Climate adviser – Marius Kloppers (BHP Billiton)

Minister for Energy Martin Ferguson – hand in glove with uranium industry

Minister for Climate Change – Greg Combet, coal engineer background, supporter of coal industry

September 22, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marius Kloppers – Australia’s new Climate Change Minister?

described Kloppers as the climate change minister who wasn’t voted in by the public.

Kloppers under fire, The Age, September 22, 2010 AN ONLINE entrepreneur has accused the federal government of kowtowing to the boss of Australia’s biggest company. Continue reading →

September 22, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, people, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uranium mining advocates oversee Australia’s tax policy

The high-ranking group, headed up by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and former BHP chairman Don Argus, will consult with industry groups and hopes to have at least a couple of key issues resolved by the end of the year…..

Mining chiefs to advise minister on mineral resources tax | The Australian September 20, 2010 THE policy transition group overseeing the government’s mineral resources rent tax has met for the first time in Canberra today. Continue reading →

September 22, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Martin Ferguson – Australia’s Minister For the Uranium Industry?

Labor to expand uranium mining: report Business Spectator, 22 Sep 2010 The federal government will support uranium mining but not nuclear power, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson told The Australian Financial Review. Mr Ferguson said he aims to oversee a large expansion of the uranium industry…..The stance threatens to create divisions in parliament. Recently the Green Party said it would use its power to try to stop planned uranium mines, phase out three existing mines and halt exports……Labor to expand uranium mining: report | News | Business Spectator

September 22, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be wary on Silex nuclear company’s solar credentials

I see Silex in the news, below, as a contender for building Victoria’s solar plant. I don’t know if they are connected to TRUenergy. Silex makes the controversial, rather dangerous laser technology for uranium enrichment.

Australian uranium enrichment group Silex Systems’ subsidiary, SilexSolar, spotted the bargain and managed to purchase the plant from BP Solar in 2009

RBS Morgans analyst Scott Power says solar accounts for less than 10 per cent of the firm’s Silex valuation. – Christina Macpherson 22 Sept 10

September 22, 2010 Posted by | Christina reviews, energy, politics, solar, uranium, Victoria | , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Uranium interests, not the public’s, served by BHP’s Marius Kloppers

A tax would favour international nuclear electricity generators and boost pressure to overturn Australia’s ban on nuclear generators. Both effects would aid BHP’s uranium interests.


BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers knows how to look after his shareholders’ interests, Paul Kerin The Australian, September 20, 2010 BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers’ touting of a carbon tax serves his shareholders’ interests — not the public’s.  Continue reading →

September 20, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

For Australia – renewable energy -YES, Martin Ferguson -NO

one key obstacle remaining: the energy minister. Martin Ferguson is not only ideologically opposed to climate action, to most kinds of renewable energy and to talking to the Greens, but he is also not a negotiator. He should be replaced in the portfolio with a more effective player who both supports action but will also be a good negotiator.

A good chance to push renewables,  Green Left Weekly, September 18, 2010By Tim Hollo “…..This parliament can and should deliver the most exciting, ambitious renewable energy policies Australia has ever seen. The next two years may be the best opportunity for renewables we ever get, Continue reading →

September 20, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, people, politics, solar, wind | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Australian Greens support BHP chief’s carbon price statement

Senator Brown said the businessman’s remarks legitimised the federal government’s promised climate change committee of MPs and experts that will work towards pricing carbon.

Greens welcome Kloppers’ remarks   Business Spectator,   16 Sep 2010 BHP Billiton Ltd chief executive Marius Kloppers’ support for a carbon price is music to the ears of Australian Greens leader Bob Brown. Continue reading →

September 16, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uranium mining should be included in Australia’s mining tax

Australia Greens Want Mining Tax Raised, Uranium Added in Gillard Hurdle, Bloomberg, By Marion Rae – Sep 16, 2010 The Australian Greens Party wants Prime Minister Julia Gillard to increase a proposed levy on coal and iron ore profits and expand it to include uranium, underscoring the pressure on her two-day old minority government……
The Greens Party won a record 12 percent of the national vote at last month’s national elections, giving them nine seats in the upper house Senate and one in the lower house. Gillard’s Labor Party must placate the Greens to pass legislation and do so without alienating three independent lawmakers who also helped her secure a parliamentary majority…….Australia Greens Want Mining Tax Raised, Uranium Added in Gillard Hurdle – Bloomberg

September 16, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

South Australian Liberal Party will reject uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness

  • “The state Liberal Party has decided very clearly that it will reject any move by the State Government to change the environmental status of Arkaroola

  • Isobel Redmond vows to block uranium mining in the Arkaroola mining  Adelaide Now, Daniel Wills,  September 14, 2010 OPPOSITION Leader Isobel Redmond has declared her party will block any future moves to allow uranium mining in the Arkaroola Wildness Sanctuary. Continue reading →

September 15, 2010 Posted by | politics, South Australia, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Greens bring anti-nuclear muscle to Canberra

the Greens’ strong election result – and its Senate balance-of-power role from next July – had strengthened its push to ban uranium mining and stop a nuclear power industry emerging in Australia.

Greens fight Labor on uranium  Andrew Burrell and Sid Maher  The Australian  September 14, 2010 THE Greens have threatened to use their historic alliance with Labor to stop billions of dollars of planned uranium projects from securing government approval…

Greens nuclear spokesman Scott Ludlam told The Australian his party would use its new-found leverage to attempt to stop all new uranium mines, including those planned in the next few years by BHP Billiton and Canadian giant Cameco. Continue reading →

September 14, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment