Martin Ferguson Minister for the Uranium Lobby
The Bulletin 21 July 09
“The Labor Party changed its policy at the 2007 national conference,” Mr Ferguson said.“There is no limit on the number of uranium mines in Australia.“I simply adopt the view it’s only a matter of time and there will be uranium mining in Queensland.”
Ferguson hails next wave of mining growth | Local News | Rockhampton Morning Bulletin
How the media covers the nuclear industry – or doesn’t cover it
The public in USA, Britain, Europe, (even Australia, though rarely)- do have an opportunity to learn of the negative side of the nuclear industry. In particular, we learn of the desperate efforts of the nuclear industry to portray itself as “commercially viable”.
However, do the “customer countries” of AREVA, Westinghouse, BHP Billiton etc – Asian countries learn of this, – does their media cover this? How much of the touted “scramble for nuclear” really mean a scramble of Asian and Middle Eastern governments to get nuclear weapons.
Where the government runs the nuclear industry – well, it doesn’t have to be “commercially viable”
This suits the”First World” nuclear and uranium salesmen who cannot get anyone to invest in their product in their own country. – Christina Macpherson 21 July 09
Away from the media glare, Asean talks nuclear 2009/07/19 Sheridan Mahavera reporting from Phuket
ASEAN is again likely to be known as a group that is better at promoting development among its 10 member countries than promoting noble political principles like the rule of law or protecting human rights.
The idea of having its own human rights body has grabbed headlines in the region but some of the more noteworthy meetings that are going on away from the glare of the media are about how some member countries are going nuclear……………………….Thailand is planning to build a nuclear plant that could cost US$6 billion (RM21.4 billion) and produce 4,000-megawatts of electricity in 2020.
While Vietnam had announced that it would start building two nuclear power plants, each with two 1,000-megawatt reactors, in 2013 in its southern province of Ninh Thuan.
Malaysia has yet to make public its nuclear power plans but Tenaga Nasional Berhad has said it wants to build a power plant by 2025.
Meanwhile, Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan confirmed that officials would be putting the final touches to the China and Australia agreements over the next few days. Once signed, the pacts would create free trade zones between Asean and the two countries. NST Online Away from the media glare, Asean talks nuclear
A Labor loner who has given it all away
A Labor loner who has given it all away The transformation of Peter Garrett from environmental activist to passive government minister is now complete, writes Kerry-Anne Walsh.
- Sydney Morning Herald July 19, 2009
Parachuted into the safe Labor seat of Kingsford Smith in Sydney, Garrett landed in Canberra at the 2004 election and has, in quietly dramatic fashion, been divesting himself ever since of his pre-Labor skin.
Approving the Four Mile uranium mine last week was the starkest example to date of the transformation of Garrett from anti-nuclear and environmental activist to passive government minister. It was an even bigger slap in the face to his past than giving the nod last year to a Tasmanian pulp mill…………………………… It was, after all, only two years ago at Labor’s national conference that he spoke passionately against expanding Labor’s three-uranium-mines-only policy.
“I have always maintained and indeed committed myself to the notion that Australia should be nuclear-free – that our country is as far into nuclear activities as it ever should be,” he spruiked. “I have long been opposed to uranium mining, and I remain opposed to it. I am unapologetic about this. In fact, I am proud of it.”………………..
………….when policy directions collide fiercely with deeply held convictions – if, indeed, they still do – there is always the option of resignation from cabinet……………..
……..The voters who put him there won’t thank him; he’s betrayed them.
1 This month
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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