Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Call for Australia to get out of the nuclear cycle

The team at ICAN – International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons 5 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.
The threat of nuclear weapons is as real today as it has ever been – yet Australia is in danger of setting itself up as uranium supplier to the world. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | General News, uranium | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christians blockade nuclear base at Easter

Communion shared at blockade of Faslane nuclear base  Ekklesia, 3 April 2010, Christians have shared communion while participating in a blockade of the Faslane nuclear weapons base in Scotland. The “symbolic blockade” today (3 April) forms part of a day of action across Europe, as campaigners from various countries call for the removal of nuclear arms from the entire continent. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , , , | Leave a comment

$Millions paid to nuclear executives in UK, too

included paying £3.8 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses to staff during 2008…The payments, which ranged from an average of just under £12,000 to nearly £37,000, were made on top of regular salary payments totalling £19.5 million.

Top jobs go in shake-up at nuclear quango,  The Times April 3, 2010, Two of Britain’s most highly paid civil servants have been axed and dozens more jobs are under threat at the quango charged with cleaning up nuclear plants, The Timeshas learnt. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , | 1 Comment

International Indigenous Solidarity Gathering for Alice Springs

The gathering will focus on the environmental impacts of mining, proposed uranium dumping, and tourism on indigenous communities in this region and Australia wide. The mining companies often seek to divide indigenous people by holding out false promises of jobs and the payment of compensation to pay for improvements to the infrastructure that should by rights be a governmental responsibility.
Our Land Our Culture Our Sovereignty Indigenous Self-Determination Gathering  Aboriginal News Group  by: Ana , 5 April 2010, INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY GATHERING IN ALICE SPRINGS JULY 10, 11 Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Australian Labor govt’s hypocrisy on Radioactive Waste Management Act

Labor’s Nuclear-Powered Steamroller, newmatilda.com, By Jennifer Mills 16 April 2010, ……….Speaking about that Act before the last federal election, the then shadow minister for the environment Peter Garret said, this has been a sorry and a sordid business driven by a licensing imperative for nuclear processes that no one has consented to. This [Howard] government continues to make a mockery of the principle of informed consent, of community participation and of respect for the wishes and interests of Aboriginal people in this country.” Continue reading

April 4, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics | , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Peaceful Nuclear Power” – it’s an oxymoron

Harmonious relationships between people and nations cannot survive in a nuclear power society, with its atmosphere of secrecy, surveillance , suspicion, fear, and ever-present real danger.

April 3, 2010 Posted by | General News | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rudd urged to attend nuclear security summit

Mr Obama has made safeguarding nuclear material a major issue as countries increasingly look to atomic power.

Push for PM to attend nuclear security summit, DANIEL FLITTON April 3, 2010 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is being urged to join a growing global push to safeguard the world’s nuclear supplies and stop nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists……The US embassy in Canberra confirmed yesterday the invitation for Mr Rudd to attend the summit was still open, despite the Prime Minister’s office saying last month Mr Rudd could not attend as the timing clashed with plans to discuss health reforms with state premiers……..It is believed Mr Rudd had been specially asked to speak at the meeting, expected to draw about 40 world leaders – including from Russia, France, Indonesia, Israel, India and Pakistan – for two days of talks beginning on April 12…………….Mr Obama has made safeguarding nuclear material a major issue as countries increasingly look to atomic power.

Push for PM to attend nuclear security summit

April 3, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, politics international, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | General News, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | aboriginal issues, Northern Territory | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | General News, uranium | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , | Leave a comment

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

March 29, 2010 Posted by | Christina reviews, climate change - global warming, energy, uranium | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

March 29, 2010 Posted by | Christina reviews | , | Leave a comment