USA to increase its military presence in Australia
Obama looks to counter China’s influence with Australian naval base, National Post, Peter Goodspeed: Nov 15, 2011 When Barack Obama arrives in Australia Wednesday he will announce plans to establish a permanent U.S. military presence in a move designed to reassert U.S. interest in the region and counter China’s growing influence in Asia.
In a move that is more symbolic than substantial, the U.S. President will outline plans to rotate 2,000 U.S. Marines a year through a naval base in Darwin, Northern Territory. This will be part of a deal that calls for joint training and military manoeuvres as well as allowing Washington to pre-position military supplies in Australia……
the new basing agreement marks a dramatic change in the thrust of U.S. foreign policy.As Washington prepares to withdraw from a decade-old military involvement in the Middle East and Afghanistan and braces for a possible US$500-billion in military spending cuts over the next five years, U.S. policy makers are pivoting to refocus their attention on Asia.
In an essay for Foreign Policy magazine last month, Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State, heralded the dawn of “America’s Pacific Century,” insisting it is in Washington’s interest to reassert its influence in Asia.
Obama puts nuclear pressure on Australian Prime Minister
Australia under nuclear pressure, Independent Australia, 15 Nov 2011 The Prime Minister announced today that Australia is set to overturn its ban on uranium sales to India, a non-signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The reason why she’s doing this is simple, Barack Obama asked her — because it’s good for the US economy. Noel Wauchope reports……
As Australia’s biggest trading partner, one would expect that China would be receiving top consideration from the Australian government, but hey — Australia has to be nice to USA, doesn’t it? As we all know, it’s traditional that when USA yells “Jump!”, Australia responds “How high!?”
And so it is that, once again, the Australian government is in the process of jumping hurdles, as dictated by USA, however little sense that might make…..
why do we need this increased U.S. military presence in Australia? Why, to protect ourselves and the U.S.A. against China, of course! (Although Barack Obama did tell the American people that the main purpose was to provide jobs for Americans.)…
The weird part about all this is … that U.S. nuclear companies are selling technology to China to help in its nuclear weapons program….
now, Australia is coming under intense pressure from the U.S.A. to change its policy on uranium sales to India. Why? … — to enable technology sales to India. Yes, it comes back to the USA’s determination to make money out of nuclear technology. While USA’s domestic nuclear industry founders – unable to get investment for new nuclear reactors – its big hope is in selling nuclear technology to “developing” countries — India, China, anybody!….
Meanwhile, for Australia, the further development of India’s nuclear arsenal should mean some anxiety about the likely further development of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Well, perhaps Australia should sell uranium to Pakistan, too?
China buys our uranium, as it is a member of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty — but perhaps China will be less than delighted to see Australia stepping outside that Treaty, kowtowing to USA, and furthering the nuclear weapons of its rival, India? http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/business/australia-under-nuclear-pressure/
To counter China, USA to set up another military base in Australia
U.S. to Build Up Military in Australia, WSJ, By LAURA MECKLER, WASHINGTON, 12 Nov 11—President Barack Obama will announce an accord for a new and permanent U.S. military presence in Australia when he visits next week, a step aimed at countering China’s influence and reasserting U.S. interest in the region, said people familiar with his plans. Continue reading
Anti nuclear, anti war protest planned against Obama’s visit to Darwin, Australia
Local activists plan Obama protest News.com.au 10 Nov 11 LOCAL
activists angry at US military bases in Australia are planning to protest US President Barack Obama’s trip to Darwin next week. Justin Tutty from Darwin Residents Against War says he expects at least 20 locals to stage a peaceful protest near Parliament when Mr Obama arrives on Thursday.
“Our message is that we don’t want US bases, we don’t want US nuclear warships in Darwin Harbour and we don’t want US troops in Darwin,” Mr Tutty said. There has been speculation Mr Obama will use the visit to make an announcement relating to increasing the US military presence in the Northern Territory.
Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith recently foreshadowed increasing the number of joint training exercises with America in Darwin and the US storing more equipment in the city for disaster and humanitarian assistance.
Already the US and Australia jointly run the Pine Gap spy base near Alice Springs in the Northern
Territory. Mr Tutty said there was little information about what a greater US presence in Northern Territory would mean.
“They have talked about a pre-positioning base and we are very sceptical about the nature of the base because of all the lies we have been told about Pine Gap,” Mr Tutty said.”For so many years they told us that Pine Gap was a communications base, but in the last few years it has come out about its offensive role and it was used to direct dozens of attacks on Iraq.” http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/local-activists-plan-obama-protest/story-e6frfku9-1226190123963#ixzz1dLAjnMoG
Woes of Australian uranium miner Paladin
Will Australia afford civil rights to Julian Assange, or kow tow to USA?
Assange’s extradition will have broad implications, not only for the exercise of
free speech, but also for all Australians — as it will bring into stark relief our own government’s commitment to our rights as citizens…
If he is sent to Sweden, Assange’s extradition must be conditional on him not being subject to the “temporary surrender” clauses in the bilateral treaty between the USA and Sweden….
[ Former Prime Minister]Kevin Rudd.., unlike the Prime Minister [Julia Gillard] and Attorney General, knew he was obliged to presume Julian Assange innocent
before proven guilty. Instead of threatening to cancel this Australian passport, the Foreign Minister said publicly that his responsibility was to attend to his legal and consular rights.
While the world watches events unfold in London, we have a singular responsibility here in Australia for the protection the citizenship entitlements of one of our own. The next move is squarely in the court of the Australian Government.
Why Julian Assange Could Be You, New Matilda.com, By Scott Ludlam, 3 Nov Australians should watch closely how the Gillard Government responds to Julian Assange’s extradition . It will test Labor’s commitment to all of our rights as citizens Continue reading
Downward plunge of prices and shares for uranium mining company
Paladin chief slashes his pay, SMH, Peter Ker,November 1, 2011 PALADIN Energy boss John Borshoff has taken the knife to his $2.5 million salary, in the latest chapter of a miserable year for the struggling uranium miner.
Barely 10 months after enjoying a 5 per cent pay rise, Mr Borshoff has agreed to reduce his pay by 25 per cent as part of a drive to reduce administration costs at the Africa-focused company. The pay cut coincided with a lacklustre quarterly report from Paladin, which has earned a reputation for over-promising and under-delivering. ……… mine production targets were missed by 15 per cent over the past three months, while the company’s forecasts for the uranium price also proved too optimistic.
But the cut to Mr Borshoff’s pay was the stand-out item in the report, and comes after much agitation from investors who have watched the share price plummet since the Japanese nuclear disaster in March. Mr Borshoff’s remuneration package was worth $2.522 million in the year to June 2011, up from $1.9 million the year before.
That increase to his remuneration, which included a 5 per cent rise in fixed pay, came in a year when Paladin made an increased trading loss of $US82.3 million. The company sought to justify Mr Borshoff’s remuneration by describing him as a ”recognised global authority” on nuclear power, whose expertise was in ”extremely limited supply” around the world….
Paladin shares fell 6.5¢ to $1.50 yesterday. The stock was fetching $5 in March before the Fukushima nuclear disaster damaged investor confidence in the uranium sector…. http://www.smh.com.au/business/paladin-chief-slashes-his-pay-20111031-1ms4l.html#ixzz1cV3q88BL
Rupert Murdoch’s secret moves to destroy public broadcasting in Australia
In hours, Murdoch could secure his stranglehold on the Australian media by acquiring our public international TV news network — and rob a struggling ABC of $223 million in funding. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is under pressure to give control over the network to Murdoch instead of the ABC – Murdoch’s mouthpiece The Australian has been leaking details of insider support for Murdoch in a blatant attempt to force Labor into backing his bid. Conroy knows that giving the network to Murdoch would greatly increase the media mogul’s corrupting influence and hurt the ABC, and is looking for a way out.
Rupert Murdoch already owns 70 percent of Australia’s newspapers. Now he’s on the hunt for more media control, and he’s hoping we won’t notice. Through his stake in Australian News Channel, he’s been pushing hard to take over the crucial but low-key ‘Australia Network’: an Australian international public broadcaster that’s available in 44 countries. Murdoch has shown that his empire ruthlessly puts profits above all else — even hacking a murdered school girl’s phone to increase sales. With this extra network, Murdoch would vastly increase his power and take control of Australia’s public image abroad.
The move is also a key part of his strategy to destroy public broadcasting and silence independent voices. Murdoch knows that the loss of $223 million in funding would severely weaken an already stretched ABC. It would mean the loss of many ABC journalists, and potential closures of overseas news offices. If we let Murdoch win, Australia will become the first country in the world to privatise its international news service…. Continue reading
Quiet wind turbine for decentralised energy systems
Suited to grid and non-grid connections, the turbine is extremely versatile and has great
appeal for commercial sites, urban environments, such as industrial parks, airports, community groups, universities, councils, ports and manufacturing facilities…..
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http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=15749 Australian Company Launches World’s Quietest Wind Turbine, AZO CleanTech October 26, 2011 Australian renewable energy innovation continues to lead the way with the launch of the worlds’ quietest wind turbine, released to market this week. The cutting edge turbine stands 21 metres high and features a unique, intuitive blade design that is virtually silent.
The Eco Whisper Turbine is set to revolutionise delivery of renewable electricity supply for urban and rural applications, Continue reading
Australia’s media sleeps as governments pander to uranium miner BHP Billiton
Today, October 19, the multinational mining giant BHP will get its own way, as a subserviant South Australian government rushes through a Bill – giving BHP open slather to set up the world’s biggest man made hole – a uranium mine.
While the Australian mainstream media remains silent, both National and State governments have swiftly given approval, including the continuance of BHP’s exemptions from laws.
- it will be an open-cut mine 4km long by 3km wide by 1km deep.
- The tailings are radioactive and carcinogenic.
- These tailings will be dumped in a gigantic slag heap the size of a mountain range, above ground.
- Around 70 million tonnes of finely pulverised tailings will be dumped on open ground every year The dump will eventually cover an area of 44 sq. km and soar 150 metres high.
Under the Roxby Downs Indenture Ratification Act 1982, BHP was given legal authority to override important state legislation, including the:
- Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
- Development Act 1993
- Environmental Protection Act 1993
- Freedom of Information Act 1991
- Mining Act 1971
- Natural Resources Act 2004 (including the Water Resources Act 1997)…..
Australia joins international initiatives to address climate change
The passage of this initiative is still hugely important, if for no other reason than that it shows Big Coal can be rolled. The coal industry is an even larger part of the Australian economy than it is of the American, and it has an enormous amount of political power. And just like here in the U.S., there are plenty of shrill politicians in Oz who claim that any new tax will lead to economic ruin.
Gillard told Members of Parliament that they would be judged on their vote by every Australian, “because the final test is not are you on the right side of the politics of the week, or the polls of the year.”
“The final test is this: are you on the right side of history?“
Australian Carbon Tax Vote: A Very Big Deal, ROLLING STONE, : OCTOBER 13, By JEFF GOODELL So maybe there is hope for us yet. After what one Aussie columnist calls“the dirtiest and most dishonest campaign ever waged before the Australian public,” with millions of dollars spent on media ads and climate skeptics flown in from around the world, Australia’s House of Representatives voted yesterday, 74 to 72,to levy a tax on carbon pollution. Continue reading
In water-scarce Australia, uranium miner BHP guzzles it for free
Public resources for private profit: free water for the largest open-pit mine in the world Coober Pedy Regional Times, by: Nectaria Calan, 13 Oct 11 In August mining giant BHP Billiton announced record financial results for the 2011 financial year, recording a total net profit of US$23.95 billion, nearly double its 2010 figure of US$13.01 billion.Australian Aboriginal response to BHP’s plan for world’s biggest uranium hole
THE LIZARDS REVENGE, DLF – Desert Liberation Front, Response to the governments decision to expand Olympic Dam mine. Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard, Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.
BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.
Kalta is angry and wants revenge. Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come.
The land is being irreversibly poisoned in and around Roxby Downs by the tailings dam causing dust and ground water contamination, and contamination of its workers.
The uranium is taken all over the world and used to kill the land and all its creatures. It’s destroying lives not only in Fukashima, with the reactor meltdown, but in the depleted uranium shells that children play with in the streets of Iraq and Kosovo.
With the governments numerous attempts to put a nuclear waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory there is a danger that radioactive waste will be brought back, opening Australia up to accepting nuclear waste from all over the world. Lets stop the deadly cycle where it starts.
The land the lizard and the creatures of this earth are summoning everybody who gives a shit to the gates of Roxby Downs on the 14th of july 2012 for The Lizards Revenge – This is an open invitation to all people and a special call out to artists, musicians and activist community groups and media to get involved in the creation of this autonomous zone for the peace and healing of this land.
Party in a Dangerous Planet with Theatre, Cabaret and Art installations. Over 20 musical acts. Solar Powered sound system extravaganza and wind powered cinema. More to be anounced.. Stand up and boogie down at the Gates of Olympic Dam 14th July 2012for more info email- izzybrown@live.com
Australian government deceiving public on nuclear waste
“The claim that a waste facility is required to support nuclear medicine is mischievous scare-mongering,”
Muckaty dump justification ‘nonsense, Channel 9 TV News 12 sept 11,A nuclear expert has taken aim at claims a planned waste dump in remote Australia is needed to house low level radioactive waste from hospitals. Speaking ahead of a Senate debate this week on the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, Dr Peter Karamoskos was critical of plans for the proposed dump. Continue reading
Grim outlook for Australia’s uranium mining industry
Investor support has evaporated and the share prices of most ASX-listed uranium plays have fallen more heavily than the wider market. The share price falls have eroded any chance of capital raisings to fund drilling programs or project development while continued production problems experienced by market leader Paladin Energy have added to the negative sentiment hanging over the sector.
The Merrill Lynch uranium equity index, which tracks global listed stocks, is down 19 per cent over the past month and 23 per cent in the past year.
More pain for uranium sector as price dips, PETER KLINGER, The West AustralianSeptember 7, 2011 Already battered by headwinds, including strong opposition from environmentalists, WA’s fledgling uranium sector is set for more grief amid expectation the nuclear fuel’s low price will fall another 6 per cent within the next few months. Continue reading
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