Australian government ceases funding for Solar Voltaic Research. WHY?
Pioneering solar photovoltaic centre of excellence loses research funding, Indymedia Australia, 30 July 2010, Why is a ground breaking solar research facility losing research funding at such a crucial time for transitioning from coal fired power stations to renewable energy? 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.
Australian doctors explain medical radiation
Fact sheet: Nuclear medicine, Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) July 2010. 29/07/2010 This MAPW fact sheet describes how nuclear medicine is used for diagnosis and radiotherapy treatment. It explains what is NOT nuclear medicine (eg x-rays and CT scans).
It summarises the dangers of ionising radiation. It debunks two myths: that Australia needs a nuclear reactor to produce radioisotopes (materials for nuclear medicine); and that we need a radioactive waste dump for its waste.
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)
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
Federal and South Australian govts won’t help Maralinga veterans!
Premier Mike Rann has said veterans and Aboriginal people affected by the testing deserved compensation from the British government….There have been genetic abnormalities and high levels of cancer among those who witnessed the atomic tests and their offspring.
State refuses to fund Maralinga court battle Pia Akerman The Australian * July 29, 2010THE Rann government in South Australia has refused to meet with representatives of Aboriginal people affected by British nuclear tests. Continue reading
Alice Springs – solar energy centre
These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator [pictured] and solar thermal technologies.
CPV in Australia’s Red Centre A town called Alice: How CPV is springing up in Australia. Renewable Energy World, by Brian Elmer July 27, 2010 London — Located in the arid desert region in the heart of Australia, the small town of Alice Springs, with a population of 28,000 is normally best known as the jump off point for one of Australia’s best known natural icons, Uluru…….. Over the last few years though, Alice Springs has been attracting attention for another reason, its development of world-leading expertise in its use of one of the region’s other natural and abundant resources – solar energy.
Indeed, the central Australian region receives more sunlight than any other region in Australia, with over 7 kWh/m2/day of incident radiation, Continue reading
Aboriginal anti-nuclear candidate for Central Australian electorate
She has also worked closely with the Greens to protest against the proposed Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump,
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
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.
Tony Abbott has religious faith in nuclear power for Australia
“I am not theologically opposed to nuclear power,””…”It’s in Australia’s interest to have nuclear power.”
Abbott backs nuclear power, Sydney Morning Herald, July 26, 2010 -Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he supports nuclear power, 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
National Gross Feed In Tariff- Greens’ call for Australia
Australian Greens Renew Call For National Gross Feed In Tariff : Renewable Energy News, 26 July 2010, A plan developed by the Australian Greens to provide Australia with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 includes a renewed push for a gross, national feed in tariff for renewable energy. Continue reading
Citizen’s Assembly on Climate Change could have a positive result
Just for once, can we drop all the negativity, and work with what opportunities do exist? The fossil fuel lobbies and mass media did a great job in rubbishing the science on Climate Change. Yet it’s becoming ever clearer that global warming is real, and Australia is already feeling the results.
In the cynical quagmire of Australian politics, Labor could not get any genuine action on carbon emissions through Parliament, anyway. OK – they let us down. That’s what politicians do, when they fear that their jobs are on the line.
The combination of the Citizens Assembly and of a scientists conference provides the opportunity to turn public opinion around, to counter the greedy spin of the fossil fuel industries. This could produce a political climate in which the government COULD get some effective Climate legislation through.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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