Maralinga radioactive fallout buried in shallow trenches
Dr. Dick van Steenis MBBS Wales UK Tel -44 1686 670688 I refer to the dust storm from central Australia that covered much of NSW & Queensland
There will have been large deposits
of radioactive plutonium, caesium, iodine& strontium on the sand and in
shallow trenches from the pathetic handling some 9 years ago of fallout from
the Maralinga tests in northern South Australia/ NT.
Also the areas around
Alice Springs had 50000 times rise in radioactivity fron fallout from the
Montebello tests. These all have long half lives. I guess much of that nasty
dangerous stuff ended up in your dust cloud in the past few days. Has
anyone tested the dust for radioactivity? I contributed to a story in the
Australian BULLETIN of 1 September 2004 and was in medical school in
Adelaide during the Maralinga tests.
Nuclear power is a feminist issue
by Noel Wauchope 21 July 09
Thirty years ago, along with others, I argued that NUCLEAR is a feminist issue, and Women’s Electoral Lobby put in a detailed anti-uranium submission to the Australian federal government.
Nothing has changed.
1. The uranium/nuclear industry is still a Big Boys’ Club
– providing the ultimate phallic symbol – the nuclear missile, – toys for the boys
– providing exorbitantly paid jobs for the corporate boys, and for their tunnel-vision “experts”
– providing short-term dangerous jobs for tough boys.
2. Cancer is on the increase, especially breast cancer. The research goes towards cure – which is fine, but where’s the research into the causes and prevention of breast cancer . (Women are conned into thinking that “detection = prevention”)
Women bear the load of caring for those who suffer and die from leukaemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, – as well as of birth abnormalities. Meanwhile the establishment carefully attributes these to “genetic factors” – or vaguely to “unknown” factors.
The nuclear issue is still a feminist issue.
In every survey, more women than men are opposed to this industry.
But then – if they speak out – the “experts” dismiss women’s views – they are too “emotional”
Still – those surveys are a bit of a nuisance for the uranium/nuclear lobby – they are working hard now, to get women on side with them.
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
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 