Ethics and Australia’s fight against nuclear power – theme for December
It is easiest to just adopt the good old “she’ll be right, mate” attitude, and to ignore the push for the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia. After all, some Australian make money out of uranium, and who cares if other countries make bombs out of it?
It’s also easy to please the powers that be, and go along with BHP Billiton etc, and Australian politicians in the drive for the nuclear fuel cycle here.
But, it takes courage to stand up for the environment, health, peace, against the push. Most courageous of all, the Aboriginal people who make this stand – against the propaganda, bribery, and threats of the pro-nuclear push.
Germany imposes a tax on nuclear fuel
From Jan. 1 2011 through December 2016, a tax on nuclear fuel will bring an estimated EUR2.3 billion to the federal government.
German Upper House Passes Nuclear Fuel Tax – WSJ.com, By Beate Preuschoff, Dow Jones Newswires;NOVEMBER 26, 2010, BERLIN -Germany’s upper house of parliament Friday approved a new tax on nuclear fuel rods, part of a sweeping overhaul of the country’s atomic energy policy. Continue reading
Push to call nuclear power ‘RENEWABLE” for Australia
Sawyer suggests the MRET [ mandatory renewable energy target]scheme cover nuclear power to the years out to 2050, rising, for example, to 30 per cent by 2030, 40 per cent by 2040 and 50 per cent by 2050 so that by 2050 Australia will have 25 nuclear reactors.
PM, blow apart the Greens Janet Albrechtsen The Australian November 24, 2010“………….In a letter to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, long-time ALP member Phil Sawyer sets out a … great idea. “the simple declaration that the MRET [mandatory renewable energy target] legislation will be changed to recognise nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power. ….. Continue reading
Professor Ian Lowe counters nuclear spin in Australia
Professor Ian Lowe, the president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the report was deeply flawed. ”Given that wind or solar thermal could be providing cheap, low-carbon power within a year or two, and a reactor is probably decades away, there is simply no convincing argument for it.
Call for nuclear plants to combat warming, Sydney Morning Herald, Ben Cubby November 26, 2010 Continue reading
Australia’s nuclear lobby steps up the spin, in fear of renewables’ success
The nuclear lobby fears the success of renewable energy. This is a pressing reason for stepping up nuclear spin in Australia today.
The cheerleader of pro-nuclear, anti-renewables spin is THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper. Their “environment editor” Graham Lloyd, is more of an Anti Environment editor. Today’s edition (27 Nov) has no less than three articles promoting nuclear power, and rubbishing wind energy.
We have foot-soldiers of nuclear spin – Jennifer Marohasy, Janet Albrechtsen, Martin Nicholson, Tom Biegler and Barry Brook getting coverage in the mainstream media. And even Australian Radiation Protection Society getting lectures on how we need nuclear powered submarines, and the” ideal of having a national nuclear industry”
Minister for Resources, Martin Ferguson launched a technical paper that portrays nuclear power as an economic option for Australia
Internationally, papers are appearing on the theme of ionising radiation being “good for you”.
The nuclear lobby has very little time, (with most nuclear reactors soon reaching their close-down date) to market its product against its popular and fast-developing competitors – renewable energy and energy efficiency. – Christina Macpherson
Anti-uranium and Climate Action protests targeting Paladin
The Angela Pamela project is owned by Paladin and Canada’s Cameco Corp………Paladin could also come under pressure today from the Climate Advocacy Fund, which claims the WA miner is not providing a satisfactory level of information about its carbon footprint.
Paladin to face anti-nuclear protest at AGM – The West Australian, PETER KLINGER, November 25, 2010, Paladin Energy is set for a showdown with the anti-nuclear lobby at its annual meeting in Perth today amid a heightened level of protest against uranium miners. Continue reading
Nuclear test soldiers used as guinea pigs for radiation studies
It was decided the Armed Forces would be used as ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ in order to discover the effects radiation would have on the Human Body…..The experiment was not concluded at the end of the testing of the nuclear devices! It is still ongoing.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, by Dave Whyte One of the ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ 26 Nov 10,
After WWII the British Government decided they would develop their own nuclear deterrent and made plans to conduct the tests at remote areas in Australia and the Pacific Continue reading
Australian soldiers and Aborigines affected by nuclear test court case
About 200 Australian veterans, widows and children of veterans had planned their own class action against the British government. Aborigines affected were also closely watching the verdict.
The British veterans are deciding whether to appeal, while the Australians are now considering an action against the Australian government.
British ruling hits Diggers’ bid for bomb test damages, The Age, DAN OAKES, 24 Nov 10, AUSTRALIAN veterans’ hopes of compensation for exposure to nuclear testing in the 1950s hang by a thread after a British court decision. Continue reading
A legal setback, but British nuclear veterans will fight on
“I’m convinced that if we took this to the European Court of Human Rights, we would win our case…..We are fighting for justice – not money.
Australian soldiers exposed to depleted uranium at Maralinga
An Australian royal commission first discovered the use of depleted uranium in atomic tests at Maralinga some 14 years ago, but the government failed to take any action at the time.
Depleted uranium used at Maralinga, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10, Australian Government Confirms Depleted Uranium Used in 1950s The Australian Federal Government announced that it will conduct a health study of Australian volunteers who worked at Maralinga, a British nuclear test site. Continue reading
British nuclear veterans speak out; radiation cover-ups will be revealed
This verdict may not be an end yet to the Ministry of Defence’s denial of truth and justice but it signals the beginning of the end.
The Redfern Report reveals that scientists and doctors from the National Health Service ( NHS ) , the Medical Research Council ( MRC ) , the National Radiological Protection Board ( NRPB ) and the Atomic Weapons Establishment ( AWE ) examined and then destroyed evidence of exposure to ionising radiation with the aid of coroners and pathologist to enable the Ministry of Defence to avoid accountability for future damage claims . These are facts veterans and widows are passing to the legal team of Rosenblatts ..
UK legal case – nuclear veterans’ claim is far from over
the fact that Mrs Sinfield’s case concerning her late husband
Bert can take place in a full court hearing where all the scientific evidence held on ionising radiation damage to health will be revealed is good news .
Radiation scanning company spent millions lobbying U.S. govt
Body Scanner Radiation Machine Makers Spent Millions On Lobbying, Wall Street Window, – Mike Swanson (11/22/10) The truth comes out. USA Today reports that L-3 Communications, which makes the TSA radiation scanning machines at the center of controversy spent millions on lobbying government officials over the past few years to get government contracts to build the machines. Continue reading
Australia’s stupidity over skin cancer and radiation
Ain’t it great! Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world! You can see how stupid we are, at any beach, with bodies determinedly exposing themselves to ultra-violet radiation and skin cancer.
Well, the Australian government is either just as stupid as the public, or perhaps banks on the apathy of Australians. Australia is to compund our skin cancer risk by installing the radiation “back scatter’ scanning security at airports. bad luck for airline crews and frequent flyers. We won’t even get thge choice of a pat-down (that might be a bit embarrassing, but its not cancerous). If you keep up with news on the radiation scanners – their biggest risk is that of skin cancer.
But never mind – Australia can keep on winning in the world skin cancer stakes! – Christina Macpherson
World renowned Arkaroola Wilderness still threatened by uranium mining
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary director Marg Sprigg says the overhaul of the state’s mining laws has done little to beef up environmental protection. “Unless further conditions are imposed in any licence to explore for uranium within Arkaroola, bulldozers can again move in, carving tracks through fragile environments and flattening steep slopes to create closely spaced drilling pads,”
Arkaroola mining measures criticised, The Advertiser, ADAM TODD November 22, 2010 ARKAROOLA Wilderness Sanctuary is still under threat from miners despite new laws aimed at penalising those who breach exploration and mining licences, the sanctuary’s director says. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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