Australia’s ABC Radio gets “astroturfed” by the nuclear lobby
Nuclear Industry infiltrates ABC to push for an atomic Australia, Independent Australia , 10 Sept 11, The nuclear industry is using increasingly subtle methods to promote the development of a nuclear power and radioactive waste disposal industry in Australia. Noel Wauchope reports.
In the ABC radio program Ockham’s Razor, first broadcast on Sunday 4th August, Terry Krieg enthusiastically promotes the nuclear industry. This program was remarkable for two reasons:
First, Mr Krieg appeared to be not your usual expert connected with the nuclear industry. Mr Krieg, we were told, is “a retired geography and geology teacher”. Good, I thought, as it seemed that the ABC was giving an ordinary mortal a go on national radio. But was that all he was? No, alas. There was, as there always seems to be, some “astroturfing” going on.
A bit of research on the Net and we soon discover that Mr Krieg is a spokesperson for the Australian Nuclear Forum. This is an organisation dedicated, it says, to “advancing peaceful aspects of nuclear science and technology”. With that aim, the ANF provides “policy papers and information papers for schools”. Its members are “professionals with wide collective experience in nuclear science and technology”. In other words, it is a false grassroots nuclear industry lobby group.
Now, I really do think that the presenter, Robin Williams, should have told us that. But perhaps he didn’t know. It is in the interests of nuclear astroturfers to not have people know that the information they present, far from being unvarnished, comes straight from the nuclear industry itself.
Secondly, Mr Krieg came out with what the nuclear lobby has been secretly planning for Australia — that is, to establish the full nuclear cycle in this country, including storing radioactive wastes.
For these two reasons, Krieg’s promotional spruik is important.
I hope that it kicks off a clearer, more “democratic’ discussion on the nuclear industry. Australia so far has had only one real speaker who puts clearly the case against nuclear power: Dr Helen Caldicott. Yes, I know that she is an “expert”. But she has an unusual ability to speak plainly. Perhaps that is why she is ignored by Australia’s media and political big boys.
Anyway, Australia surely needs some plain speaking on this issue, so critical for our children and grandchildren’s future.
Terry Krieg should not be ignored. His vision for a totally nuclear South Australia is scary stuff.
On Climate Change and Renewable Energy Krieg, rather surprisingly, loses some scientific credibility right at the start, as he reveals himself as a climate-change denier…. On Germany… On Wind power This seems to be Terry Krieg’s main target,…. On Greenhouse gas emissions…. On Australia’s nuclear future.. On South Australia’s future…
If the Australian public is not made aware of the full meaning of the nuclear lobby’s plan, in clear “ordinary” language, Terry Krieg’s vision might well come true.http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/media-2/nuclear-industry-infiltrates-abc-to-push-for-an-atomic-australia/
Climate Denialism is old hat – now Australia joins in Radiation Denialism
After Fukushima: the rise of nuclear radiation denialists Independent Australia 22 Aug 11, After the Fukushima disaster, the nuclear industry has urgently redoubled its efforts to convince the world that nuclear radiation is safe. Now it seems they are trying to say that radiation is actually good for us. Noel Wauchope reports.
In 2001, President Bill Clinton authorised funds to research the effects of radiation on the “downwinders” from the Nevada and Utah atomic bomb tests. The funds went to the Department of Energy, who designed the research project. They then allocated the project to Flinders University in South Australia, under the leadership of Professor Pam Sykes.
But the original intention of the research has taken a strangely perverted course. Pam Sykes has joined the proponents of “adaptive radiation” and “radiation hormesis” – the theory that “low level ionising radiation is good for you” It’s quite an old theory, but now, after Fukushima, it has suddenly become very useful to the nuclear and uranium lobbies……..
HOW PAM SYKES HAS CHANGED DIRECTION (SUITING THE NUCLEAR LOBBY) Early on in her research, Pam Sykes was following up the idea that human individuals vary in their susceptibility to low level radiation — that some are more susceptible than others.
Dr Sykes’ current view deviates markedly from the statements she made prior to the signing of the 2001 US Department of Energy research contract which funded her. US DOE still funds her. The aim of the original funding as authorised by President Clinton was in service of US Downwinder victims.
In 2001, Dr Sykes and Flinders University issued a press release which stated in part: “….If you have a limit based on the whole population but some the population are more sensitive, then perhaps you need a lower limit.”
They [Pam Sykes, Bobby Scott etc] are the “radiation sceptics”, very much comparable to “climate change sceptics”. Their belief in “radiation hormesis” is comparable to “intelligent design” — as opposed to evolution.
Their common funding sources are nuclear energy agencies — in particular the USA Department of Energy…… (DOE)…..http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/health/after-fukushima-the-rise-of-nuclear-radiation-denialists/
Martin Ferguson endorses new Australian pro nuclear spin centre
The aim of New England Nuclear Energy is to gain enough support to change NSW legislation created in 1986 which prohibits nuclear facilities from being constructed or operated.
Nuclear centre opens, The Glen Innes Examiner AMY SLESSOR, 09 Aug, 2011 ,NEW England Nuclear Energy opened its Research, Education and Discussion Centre on Saturday morning.
The opening was at 8.15.43 seconds to coincide with the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing to show how far nuclear had come since that day, according to New England Nuclear Energy principal Howard Eastwood. Continue reading
Uranium industry benefits billionaires, damages Aboriginals
to the direct benefit of billionaire mine-owners, including the uranium mine-owners Angwin represents. These measures include attempts to shut down smaller Indigenous communities and herd Aboriginal people into “hub towns”.
Leave uranium in the ground, Green Left, 8 Aug 11, @…….. Angwin slammed the eastern states’ uranium bans as “authoritarian”. He said: “The Northern Territory and South Australia have encouraged the uranium industry for a long time. So it is not surprising that uranium development there proceeds without much fuss, despite the occasional hiccup.”
The “occasion hiccup” includes contaminating underground aquifers with radioactive tailings and the spread of radioactive dust. Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and South Australia suffer some of the worst effects of this radioactive contamination. Continue reading
Australian Greg Sheridan – a not so moderate pro nuclear voice
Just in case you didn’t notice, I’ll mark in red some of Mr Sheridan’s best efforts at answering the anti-nuclear case – Christina Macpherson
Paralysed by our anti-nuclear hysteria, THE AUSTRALAN, Greg Sheridan, July 23, 2011“…….On one issue, a fairly toxic interaction of anachronistic elite opinion and the popular faith in fossil fuels has led to one of the most debilitating Australian syndromes: our completely kooky phobia about anything to do with nuclear power. This is hurting us in energy planning, foreign policy and, crucially, defence……. Unless you are a Greens/Taliban fundamentalist seeking to de-industrialise the West, you are not serious about climate change if you oppose nuclear energy…..”
A new variation on pro nuclear spin – from Flinders University
Check out the inflammatory heading and language in the item below. It’s no surprise that Professor Sykes’research is funded by the USA Departmnet of Energy (DOE) – a body that is wedded to nuclear power.
From Prof Sykes we learn how irrational we are, how we panicked, in our ignorance, being worried about low dose radiation. Why it prevents cancer!
She goes on to tell us that there is no leaukaemia,no solid cancers, no birth defects caused by low level Chernobyl radiation, (well they have a long lead time, new cases can be expected from 25 years on). She sheds doubt on the thyroid cancer cases. And goes on to enthuse about how low level radiation benefits diabetes and arteriosclerosis.
My oh my – no wonder the DOE wants to fund Prof Sykes’research!. – Christina Macpherson
Radiation response a meltdown in reason, Health Canal 14 July 11, The possibility that low doses of radiation may prevent or delay the progression of cancer is being explored by a Flinders University research team led by Professor Pam Sykes in a move that runs counter to the widely held perception that exposure to any radiation is harmful.
Professor Sykes, recently appointed to the University’s Strategic Professorship in Preventive Cancer Biology in the Flinders Centre for Cancer Prevention and Control says the public panic in responseto nuclear accidents such as that at Fukushima in Japan is the result of a general ignorance about radiation…..
http://www.healthcanal.com/cancers/18880-Radiation-response-meltdown-reason.html
Australia’s latest high powered pro nuclear propaganda
With all this emphasis on safety, radiation effects are never discussed.
The same argument could be used to show how safe the asbestos industry is – : just a few deaths from falls in the mine and you don’t count the mesothelioma that comes on years later. Same with tobacco and lung cancer.
The renewed push for a nuclear Australia Pro-nuclear campaigners are, beyond all reason, using the Fukushima nuclear disaster to push the case for an atomic Australia. Independent Australia , 7 July 11, Noel Wauchope reports.
Perhaps because of its geographical isolation, Australia is, in some ways, off the culture map. This might be why Dr. Ziggy Switkowski,Professor Barry Brook,Dr Adi Paterson and the rest of the nuclear propagandists seem to be able to get away with statements on the Fukushima nuclear disaster – now described as the world’s worst industrial disaster – that range from the dubiously absurd, to the downright untrue. Continue reading
Dr Jim Green exposes the nuclear spin of Ziggy Switkowski and Barry Brook
Unfortunately, Prof. Barry Brook has really abdicated a neutral position on this event. His clear support of nuclear power seems to have impacted his critical thinking skills … Every time he states something in this crisis is ‘impossible’, it seems to happen the next day.”…………Switkowski ignores the widespread human exposure to radiation from Fukushima and the likely resulting long-term cancer death toll.BHP Billiton spends up big to set up nuclear front think tank
The production of fuels for the civil nuclear industry is an important debate that UCL wants to encourage,………
BHP signs $10m deal to set up energy research facilities, THE AUSTRALIAN, Verity Edwards , June 11, 2011 BHP Billiton has signed a $10 million deal to establish two energy institutes in partnership with University College London, in Britain and in Adelaide, in a move that could signal its intention to commit itself to the $20 billion Olympic Dam expansion.
The Institute for Sustainable Resources in London and the Energy Policy Institute in Adelaide will focus on postgraduate research, including renewable energies and nuclear enrichment and power. UCL Adelaide chief executive David Travers said the partnership would build on the world’s fourth-ranked university’s international research capabilities and its ability to influence the energy debate. Continue reading
BHP Billiton does some creative spinning about Olympic Damn Uranium Mine
BHP and the new maths of nuclear reactors. by Bernard Keane, Crikey, 17 May 11, Olympic Damn: is BHP ignoring Fukushima and its effect around the world | Crikey Yesterday Robert Gottliebsen of Business Spectator spruiked the glories of BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mine, Continue reading
Surprise, surprise, Australia’s new nuclear high priest supports nuclear power!
Well, did we really expect anything else?
I mean, if not, it would be like the Pope not believing in Saints!
ANSTO head in favour of nuclear power, Herald Sun 4 April 11, THE new head of Australia’s nuclear science agency says he personally supports the use of nuclear energy to help power the country.
Professor Paul Greenfield was appointed chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in February, taking over from Dr Ziggy Switkowski.
He said while it was not the role of the ANSTO chair to advocate nuclear power, he personally supported it…….His comments come as Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant continues to leak radiation into the air, soil and ocean after it was severely damaged by the massive earthquake and tsunami in March…… http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/ansto-head-in-favour-of-nuclear-power/story-e6frf7ko-1226049894483
Pro nuclear propaganda confuses external and internal radiation
Their first piece of disinformation is to confuse the effects of external and internal radiation.
Nuclear apologists play shoot the messenger on radiation, The Age, Helen Caldicott, April 26, 2011 George Monbiot and others are distorting evidence of the dangers of exposure.
TWENTY-FIVE years after Chernobyl, many billions of dollars are at stake if the Fukushima reactor meltdowns cause the so-called “atomic renaissance” to halt or even slow down. This is evident from the nuclear industry’s vociferous attacks on its critics.
We see this especially in Australia, where the industry is conducting a whatever-it-takes propaganda campaign to ensure that nothing stands in the way of vast profits to be made from continuing to export uranium; from the plan to establish a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory; and from the industry’s desire to dot the continent with reactors.
by reassuring the public that things aren’t too bad, Monbiot and others misrepresent and distort the scientific evidence of the harmful effects of radiation exposure. Continue reading
Australians massaged back into nuclear complacency
Nuclear Fall-Out – A Window Into The Rabbit-Hole, Media With Conscience By Allen L. Jasson 13 April “…..the tranquillity I am witnessing here in Australia derives from the way the Nuclear Disaster is subtly presented as a kind of natural extension of the earth quake and tsunami; a terrible, unfortunate but inescapable fact of life. Continue reading
Nuclear power, uranium mining, continue to be unpopular in Australia
After Fukushima: Nuclear less popular than ever, Green Left Weekly, April 10, 2011,By Jim Green A poll by Roy Morgan Research several days into the Fukushima nuclear crisis found that 61% of Australians oppose the development of nuclear power in Australia, nearly double the 34% who support it. Continue reading
Jim Green exposes Barry Brook’s pro nuclear spin
Australia’s nuclear spin doctors, Green Left, March 20, 2011, By Jim Green . Pro-nuclear commentators in Australian have downplayed the crisis even as radiation monitors detected alarming jumps in radioactivity near the reactors and low levels of radiation as far away as Tokyo. Continue reading
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