Nuclear power an election issue in Australia
“A key example concerns the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010. This proposed law would override the Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and all state/territory legislation. It would also curtail procedural fairness and appeal rights.
The Government’s draft legislation is directly at odds with Labor policy
Dr Bill Williams, and Dr Jim Green 31 July 2010, www.choosenuclearfree.net “This federal election campaign has been short of policy detail so far – “Our analysis reveals a long list of broken promises by the Labor government. Continue reading
French nuclear firm EDF in debt as USA project failing
“The U.S. provision is bad news,”……. Results were also hurt by “poor availability” of nuclear reactors in France and the U.K….EDF has expanded in Europe, China and the U.S., driving up debt
EDF Net Income Tumbles 47% After Outlook Dims for Nuclear Project in U.S. – Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Jul 30, 2010 Electricite de France SA, Europe’s biggest power generator, reported a 47 percent drop in first- half profit on a charge linked to the development of a nuclear reactor in the U.S. and the outlook for low power prices there. Continue reading
AUSTRALIAN ELECTION and the NUCLEAR INDUSTRY – our theme for August 2010
Australia faces an election on August 21. The major political parties are united in one policy – that is –keeping quiet about nuclear power. And Julia Gillard – Labor, and Tony Abbott – Liberal-Coalition, have got plenty to shut up about.
Both Labor and Liberal are beholden to their corporate masters. In the case of Labor, this was shown in a dramatic way, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard kow towed over the planned Super Profit Resources tax. And, with the new, tamed, Resources Rent Tax – uranium mining is exempt even from that one.
The Liberal Coalition used to be blatantly in favour of a nuclear Australia. Now, with the election looming, only a few of their maverick MPs will state this out loud.
Under the radar, the powerful and well-funded nuclear lobby is working away at both parties – for uranium/nuclear policies to be revealed after the election is safely over.
Uranium company’s share price and profits plummet
ERA first-half profit plunges 82pc ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 30 july 2010, Darwin Energy Resources of Australia has announced an 82 per cent plunge in its first-half profit.The company has blamed the slump on a fall in the price of uranium oxide and poor grades of ore at its Northern Territory mine.ERA’s net profit for the six months to the end of June fell to $22.7 million from $127.6 million for the same period last year.In the early afternoon, its shares had slipped more than 4 per cent to $13.71.
ERA first-half profit plunges 82pc – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
USA govt put soldiers at risk from depleted uranium
DU is a dense metal added to munitions and bombs to pierce tanks and armor, and the military seems to chose unrestricted use of the radioactive substance over its soldiers’ safety.
(USA) Document Reveals Military Was Concerned About Gulf War Vets’ Exposure To Depleted Uranium, CounterCurrents.org, By Mike Ludwig29 July, 2010 For years, the government has denied that depleted uranium (DU), a radioactive toxic waste left over from nuclear fission and added to munitions used in the Persian Gulf and Iraq wars, poisoned Iraqi civilians and veterans. Continue reading
Alice Springs’ tourism under threat from uranium mining
the town’s attraction as a wilderness destination is under threat.……you don’t find too many mining towns that actually have a thriving tourism industry.”.
Tour operators discuss uranium concerns, ABC News By Kirsty Nancarrow Jul 29, 2010 “… tourism operators have attended a meeting in Alice Springs to discuss concerns about future uranium mining in the region. Continue reading
Australian election: antinuclear Dr Emma Young a candidate for Darwin
Most Territorians believe the nuclear waste dump proposed for Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the safe Labor seat of Lingiari, is being unfairly thrust upon the NT.
Greens targeting Darwin seat, Sydney Morning Herald, LARINE STATHAM , 28 July 2010, Environmental woes and disillusion with the major parties could see the Australian Greens score an upset in the marginal Northern Territory seat of Solomon in the coming election. Continue reading
Nuclear power will saddle taxpayers with endless costs
The last generation of nuclear plants left taxpayers on the hook for more than $300 billion in bailouts and rate hikes following ‘mishaps.’ All signs indicate that the new class of reactors will be just as problematic
(USA) Solar Is A Bargain Deal Compared To Nuclear, Change.org, by Ben Buchwalter July 28, 2010 Proponents of nuclear energy rely on three key reasons our country should develop new nuclear reactors rather than invest in cleaner solar power. One: They claim nuclear is cheaper than alternatives. Two: They say it is more efficient. Three: They say it relies on existing technology. Continue reading
Aboriginal anti-nuclear candidate for Central Australian electorate
Town camp resident to run for Greens in Lingiari, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) By Amy Marshall Jul 27, 2010 Alice Springs town camp resident and community leader Barbara Shaw is running for The Greens in the Central Australian seat of Lingiari. Continue reading
Julizan Burnside QC to lead Aboriginals’ legal action against nuclear waste dump
Lane Jangala has instructed Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Surry Partners and Julian Burnside QC, to commence proceedings against the use of the site for disposal of radioactive waste.
NT landowners appoint firm to nuclear waste legal action 27 July 2010 | by The New Lawyer “……The Traditional Owners have instructed law firm Maurice Blackburn and Surry Partners to commence a Federal Court challenge against the Federal Government and the Northern Land Council over the plan to build a nuclear waste dump on their land at Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek…… Continue reading
Review of “Countdown to Zero”
…Nuclear weapons are supposed to be a deterrent. They are supposed to keep us safe. But that’s crap.
Take a Friend to the Movies — Before It’s Too Late, Steven Crandell, 23 July 2010, “………. They are designed to kill civilians in cities, to wipe out families, neighborhoods and communities. Continue reading
NUCLEAR FREEWAYS LAUNCH AT MARTIN FERGUSON’S OFFICE
This Friday July 30th marks the launch of Friends of the Earths Nuclear Freeways campaign. A delegation of Friends of the Earth members and Batman electorate residents will travel over 3,000ks on one of the proposed routes for the transport for Australia’s radioactive waste.
The group will meet with numerous councils, indigenous nations, community groups, and emergency services organisations on the transport route from Lucas Heights to Muckaty.
The Nuclear Freeways Campaign works to inform and support communities along potential transport routes between Australia’s main radioactive waste producer – the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor site in Sydney – and the proposed radioactive dump site at Muckaty in the Northern Territory.
Safety problems at AREVA’s new nuclear reactors
Changes to the initially proposed cladding design would affect the operating economics of the reactor and would present “a serious safety problem”
Safety Fears Raised at French Reactor, NYTimes.com, By PATRICIA BRETT: July 26, 2010, PARIS — Anti-nuclear activists are seeking to halt construction of France’s latest-generation nuclear power plant at Flamanville, on the Normandy coast, arguing that changes introduced to solve problems with the reactor’s fuel pellet cladding have invalidated the plant’s original building permit. Continue reading
Aboriginals take Muckaty protest to Martin Ferguson’s electorate
Elders from Muckaty on Monday travelled to the seat of Batman in Melbourne’s north, calling for the waste dump to be stopped………….
Nuclear dump opposed by elders, Sydney Morning Herald, EDWINA SCOTTJuly 26, 2010 Aboriginal landowners have protested in Resources Minister Martin Ferguson’s electorate to oppose the establishment of Australia’s first radioactive waste dump on their land. Continue reading
Legal action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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