AUSTRALIA « nuclear-news

New evidence on how radiation causes cancer

radiation, while killing many cells within a tissue, will create mutations in some of the surviving stem cells. When such abnormal (mutated) stem cells repopulate the tissue, they will divide many times and this can promote the development of tumours,”

Body’s natural cell-suicide program can fuel tumour development’, sify news, 1 August 2010, Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have made a discovery that has turned on its head scientists’ understanding of programmed cell death and its role in tumour formation. Continue reading →

August 2, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, health | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, cancer, nuclear, radiation, reactors | Leave a comment

Sunny Central Australia to lead in solar energy

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 CentreA 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 (the geological formation formerly known as Ayers Rock). Located about 500 km to the south west (considered a short distance in the vast reaches of the Northern Territory Outback) Uluru attracts some 400,000 visitors per year. 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 →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, renewable | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, climate change, global warming, renewable energy, renewables | Leave a comment

Australian Aboriginals’ legal challenge against nuclear waste dump

The traditional owners have launched a legal challenge against the federal government and the Northern Land Council over plans for the nuclear waste dump at Muckaty station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

Nuclear dump opposed by elders, Sydney Morning Herald, EDWINA SCOTT, July 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 →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, indigenous issues | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, indigenous, nuclear weapons, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Australia’s new Prime Minister wants huge renewable energy investment

In 2007, Australia committed to ensuring 20% of electricity supply to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Gillard wants ‘record investment’ in renewable energy, Recharge Lee Hong Liang 21 July 2010, Australia’s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised to spend a “record” amount of money to develop the country’s solar and renewable energy sector. Continue reading →

July 22, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, renewable | AUSTRALIA, climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, solar, water | Leave a comment

Global uranium, nuclear industry in serious trouble – Australian Senator

“Recently we have been hearing a lot about ‘surging uranium prices’ and a ‘global nuclear renaissance’ but you only need to chart uranium miners’ share prices and the world uranium price to see the reality is strangely at odds with the hype,” Senator Ludlam said.“The year started with BHP Billiton cutting estimated production from its proposed Yeelirrie project by a third, Mega Uranium delaying commencement of its proposed Lake Maitland project by two years and Toro Energy dropping plans to mine uranium at Napperby in the Northern Territory.

“Worldwide, the global civil nuclear industry is in serious trouble and nuclear weapons disarmament negotiations are suppressing world uranium prices.
“The Australian Greens continue to be the one political party that opposes uranium mining and nuclear energy at a State and Federal level.”

Greens step up anti-uranium mining campaign, 21st July 2010, Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will deliver a straightforward message to uranium miners and investors at the Australian Uranium Summit in Fremantle today

“The industry remains unsafe, unwanted and uneconomic. Pursuing investments in this least sustainable of industries will end in tears,” Senator Ludlam said……. Continue reading →

July 21, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, business and costs | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear technology, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium, asbestos: the continuing history of corporate denial

The uranium mining and nuclear fuel industries are just the latest in a long list of corporate deniers.

ETU STATE COUNCIL BANS MEMBERS FROM WORKING IN NUCLEAR INDUSTRY | Coober Pedy Regional Times, 17 July 2010, “….. Corporate denial of the dangers of various substances and products has a long history. Continue reading →

July 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, spinbuster, Uranium | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, radiation, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

About David Bradbury’s new film on uranium mining

The message from When the Dust Settles is simple and clear: Despite assurances from the mining companies, there is NO SAFE LEVEL of radiation exposure, below which there is no risk of cancer or birth defects occurring.

When the Dust Settles – new drama/doco outlines uranium mining risks When the Dust Settles is a 35-minute documentary film commissioned by the ETU Qld & NT for the purposes of this renewed campaign against the nuclear industry. It combines comedy and serious content to explain the dangers of uranium mining, the nuclear fuel cycle and the use of depleted nuclear materials – much of which originates in Australian uranium mines – in weapons production. Continue reading →

July 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, Resources -audiovicual | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium | 1 Comment

Why New Zealand ports should not allow uranium shipments

……the risks are there, and the risks are genuine. Accidents do happen, especially at sea. Fires can rage for days, and cargo can move around on board, splitting open containers. Our ports and our port workers are not equipped to deal with radioactive spills.

Feature Columnist: Gareth Hughes | Craccum, 19 July 2010, Recently, the Paranagua Express, carrying tonnes of radioactive uranium ore, was berthed at the Port of Auckland.. Continue reading →

July 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | New Zealand, safety, Uranium | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, uranium | Leave a comment

Australian union educating workers on dangers of uranium mining

the ETU has commissioned a 35-minute film, When the Dust Settles, which has been posted to every ETU member in Queensland and the NT.

ETU STATE COUNCIL BANS MEMBERS FROM WORKING IN NUCLEAR INDUSTRY | Coober Pedy Regional Times July 17, 2010

Uranium – the new asbestos

1. Major union bans members working in uranium mines, nuclear power stations, et al
2. ETU’s educational video launched in Brisbane

The debate over uranium mining and the role of nuclear energy in Australia has intensified with a major union launching a campaign against the nuclear industry by banning its members from working in uranium mines, nuclear power stations or any other part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Continue reading →

July 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, spinbuster, Uranium | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Olympic Dam uranium mine a threat to Australia’s groundwater

“Not only is the expansion at Olympic Dam going ahead without the consent of traditional owners, but tens of thousands of gigalitres of water per day is being sucked out of the Artesian Basin on Arabunna land to service the mine,”

Protesters gather at mine site, Sydney Morning Herald, July 16, 2010 –An anti-nuclear protester has chained himself to a four-wheel-drive blocking the road to BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia’s far north. Continue reading →

July 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, opposition to nuclear, Uranium | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, climate change, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium, water | Leave a comment

USA nuclear energy – no future without a solution to nuclear waste

Commission on America’s Nuclear Future co-chairman Brent Scowcroft says the future of American nuclear energy depends on whether the U.S. can figure out how to treat and dispose of the resulting waste.

Presidential commission: dealing with waste key to nuclear future – KHQ Right Now Associated Press – July 15, 2010 Continue reading →

July 16, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, wastes | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, radiation, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Russi now critical of Iran’s nuclear programme

Medvedev’s latest tough statement after he recently stated the Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons is expected to please U.S. officials and improve relations between the two superpowers.

Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) 16 Julhy 2010, – Just a day after Moscow agreed to expand cooperation with Iran on energy ties despite U.N. sanctions, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that it was seeking “appropriate” explanations from the Islamic nation on its ambitious nuclear program. He also called Tehran to fully cooperate with international community in this regard. Continue reading →

July 16, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | AUSTRALIA, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Nuclear co-operation deal USA and Australia

(Does the Australian public know anything about this?)

If not opposed by a joint resolution of disapproval or other legislation, then the agreement will be considered approved at the end of this time period.

U.S.-Australia Civilian Nuclear Cooperation: Issues for Congress, East Asia: , 14 July 2010, Mary Beth Nikitin, Bruce Vaughn Continue reading →

July 15, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, uranium | Leave a comment

British govt sent compensation to Australia, but not to British nuclear veterans

Veterans are betrayed by double standards, This Is Derbyshire, 14 July 2010, A document discreetly entitled The Australian Treaty Series 1993 No.40 hides a huge untold human story of military service, international diplomacy and, some say, betrayal. Continue reading →

July 15, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, cancer, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Uranium mining executive boasted on political upheaval in Australia

‘Policymakers around the world can learn a lesson when considering new taxes to plug a revenue gap or play to local politics,” he said.

Indeed they can, particularly if they note the ousting of a sitting prime minister by his own party.

Big-talking giants may come down with a thud, Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Verrender, July 13, 2010 If the European Union had reservations about the iron ore tie-up between the mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, it no doubt would have been stunned by Tom Albanese’s extraordinary remarks in London last week…….. Continue reading →

July 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, politics | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear technology, uranium | Leave a comment