Far from benign, Australia promotes nuclear weapons
ICAN, 1 April 2010, We Australians often like to think of ourselves as a peace-loving nation.
However, as long as we continue to supply uranium to nuclear weapon states around the world, the perception of Australia as being benign in global affairs is an illusion. Continue reading
The uranium mining industry makes it easier for terrorists
An IAEA database counts scores of thefts, losses and other incidents involving nuclear materials each year.
Uranium-mining nations flout UN on nuclear terror Norwalk News 03/31/2010 By CHARLES J. HANLEYAP NEW YORK (AP) — Years after a six-month deadline passed, dozens of nations, including uranium producers, remain potential weak links in the global defense against nuclear terrorism, ignoring a U.N. mandate on laws and controls to foil this ultimate threat. Continue reading
Muckaty’s Milwayi Traditional Owners speak out against claims for Nuclear Waste Dump
National Land Council excluding true Muckaty Owners who oppose the nuclear waste dump.30/3/2010, Yesterday the Northern Land Council (NLC) supported a large group of Muckaty Traditional Owners to visit the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney and present at today’s Senate Inquiry in Canberra. Muckaty Traditional Owner Pamela Brown, from the Milwayi group, issued the following statement in response :
If the NLC and Amy Lauder are in Canberra, I want them to tell the government people where they really stand and tell them the whole truth, that Muckaty doesn’t belong to them. Continue reading
Long term radioactivity, secrecy, problems on proposed Muckaty radioactive waste dump
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has called for the release of all relevant documents held by the NLC on the proposed site at Muckaty Station.
Long term radiation from possible dump needs attention, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) By Alex Johnson 31 March 2010,
The deputy chair of the Senate committee examining the proposed national nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek says the management of long-term radiation needs more attention. Continue reading
Protestors at Senater Inquiry into National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
critics said Labor merely rebadged the coalition’s policy
Protesters ejected from Senate nuclear inquiryAAP * March 30, 2010 PROTESTERS have been ejected from a Senate inquiry hearing on a nuclear waste dump to be built in the heart of Australia.A Senate committee is examining the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
With the bill, Labor kept an election promise to repeal coalition legislation to build a dump, and put in place a new process.But critics said Labor merely rebadged the coalition’s policy because finding a new site for the dump was too difficult, and they have attacked the consultation process……………
Mr Sweeney, who will give evidence at the hearing today, said security guards peacefully removed the protesters from the room.
The protesters were not associated with ACF.
The government is considering Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, for the dump site, after it was nominated by some of its traditional owners.
Protesters ejected from Senate nuclear inquiry | News.com.au
Obama soon to announce the USA’s Nuclear Posture Review
Nuclear Madness Month at the White House, The Atlantic, Mar 31 2010, Next week kicks off nuclear madness month at the White House — or, as one senior administration official resignedly describes it, “all nukes, all the time.” By mid-May, the world ought to know whether President Obama is really a deterrencer in a dove’s clothing. Continue reading
Western Australian Labor Party remains opposed to uranium mining
Labor remains opposed to uranium mining , ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 29 March 2010, The Western Australian State Opposition insists it is united in its opposition to uranium mining.Labor’s spokeswoman for the environment Sally Talbot took part in an anti-uranium protest in Kalgoorlie over the weekend……..
Dr Talbot says the party is opposed to the emerging industry.
“Everybody’s entitled to their own opinions but the Labor Party has a policy that is absolutely crystal clear – we’re opposed to uranium mining.”
“In government we will not support uranium mining. If we had won the last election we would not be contemplating opening up uranium mines in Western Australia.”
Labor remains opposed to uranium mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Taxpayer’s uranium mining clean-up costs not factored in to nuclear’s ‘revival’ costs
While the nuclear power loan guarantees essentially subsidize new power plants, what has not been factored in are the hidden costs of “clean” nuclear power: the financial legacy of past mining and milling operations have reached into tens of billions of dollars in the West’s “National Sacrifice Areas.”
Hot Rocks: Hidden Cost and Foreign Ownership of “Clean” Nuclear Fuel Emerging,THE HUFFINGTON POST, D.A. Barber, 1 April 2010, “…..Unlike coal, which goes straight from the mine to the power plant, uranium goes through several steps to become fuel for “clean” nuclear power plants and then needs to be disposed of. Continue reading
Review: Nuke waste, “nukes for peace”, Climate Change, Iran
Review: Australia. A critical time for Australia – Senate Inquiry into Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan, but local community excluded from attendance. W.A plan to use Oakajee port for uranium shipments. Alarming report from CSIRO – Climate Change well underway in Australia. “Climate Sceptics” influence grows.
International: U.S. safety worries with aging nuclear reactors,while France’s cost-cutting threatening safety of new reactors. Nuclear power being promoted as part of nuclear non proliferation! Iran building more nukes? – Israel threatening action on Iran. Continuing legal and financial battles for U.S. nuclear industry. A political move to thwart California’s renewable energy industries. – the week that has been
Nuclear waste dump a danger and’ negligible’ benefit to Northern Territory
The Government has told a Senate inquiry into new laws for a nuclear waste dump there would be “negligible economic benefit from the facility” for the NT. Continue reading
Fires at 3 U.S. nuclear plants illustrate safety risks
Fires break out at three U.S. nuclear plants over the weekend, FACING SOUTH, By Sue Sturgis , March 29, 2010 Emergencies were declared at two Progress Energy nuclear power plants in the Carolinas over the weekend due to fires. There was also a fire at a nuclear power plant in Ohio on Sunday that sent two firefighters to the hospital. The blazes were put out and disaster averted, but the incidents underscore concerns about U.S. nuclear plants’ failure to comply with fire safety regulations…… Continue reading
Greens to Question Secret Deal on Muckaty Nuclear Waste Dump Plan
“They have been hiding behind the cloak of ‘commercial in confidence’ for too long.
Greens to question secret Muckaty contract in waste dump inquiry 29 March 2010
The Australian Greens will question the two parties involved in signing a secret contract that led to the nomination of Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek, as the only proposed site for Australia’s first ever radioactive waste dump. Continue reading
Beware nuclear energy linked to peace
Christina Macpherson.29 March 2010 In April-May there will be international conventions and conferences aimed at reducing the spread of nuclear weapons.
Unfortunately the nuclear lobby is well and truly on this bandwagon. The “peace” message will be joined with the message to increase “civil” nuclear energy, and the George W. Bush initiated plan of “cradle to grave” nuclear fuel cycle of leasing uranium. Australia is still signed up to the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership – meaning that the plan is to lease uranium – nuclear wastes to be returned to Australia
Never mind that scientific opinion has already discredited nuclear power as neither “safe” nor “clean”, and discredited George W. Bush’s plan – the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, The GNEP is still being touted as the magic formula that will not only “solve” the nuclear waste problem (by returning wastes to their uranium mining origin). Now the GNEP is going to promote
Nuclear power spread will promote peace – nuclear lobby’s spin
Access To Civil Nuclear Energy Voice of America News.com 29 March 2010“Our efforts to reinvigorate the U.S. domestic nuclear industry go hand-in-hand with our efforts in the international arena.”
Speaking about the vital role that nuclear energy plays in our low-carbon future, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman said the United States is working to reinvigorate its domestic nuclear industry. At the same time, he said the U.S. is working with other nations “to ensure that all countries can access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in a manner that minimizes proliferation risks.”….. Continue reading
Anti uranium protest in Western Australia
Traditional owners from across WA have joined residents and politicians in an anti-uranium protest in Kalgoorlie. The protesters are opposed to development in WA’s emerging uranium industry.There are also concerns about BHP Billiton’s plans to transport yellow cake from its proposed Yeelirrie mine near Wiluna to Kalgoorlie where it will be loaded on to freight trains bound for Adelaide or Darwin.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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