Australia:
Muckaty nuclear waste dump: Aboriginal landowners legal case against it will continue. The Federal Court in Melbourne ruled that that it can, and that previously secret documents can be made public. Medical experts reiterate that this dump is not needed for nuclear medicine. Meanwhile South Australians are becoming concerned at plans to transport the radioactive wastes through their State. Renmark may make their area a nuclear free zone.P>
Julia Gillard at Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. Australia's claims of promoting nuclear security and non proliferation sound hollow, as Australia will flout the Non Proliferation Treaty by selling uranium to India, as well as being a major provider of uranium to a number of nuclear weapons states anyway. On the sidelines of the Summit, Julia discussed USA-Australia co-operation with Obama. Plans for Australia to host USA spy drone aircraft, and to host an increased number of USA nuclear attack submarines at Garden Island in Perth.
North Korea does remain a worry for the world, and its next missile launch is for the first time, expected to impact an area roughly between Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines,
Earthquakes in South Australia. A worrying series of earthquakes, the latest 3.9 magnitude at 10 km from Olympic Dam uranium mine, and all happening in areas of uranium ore and potential for mining.
Renewable energy: The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund will form part of the government’s $3.2 billion Australian Renewable Energy Agency when it starts on 1 July 2012. Exciting opening for Australian renewable energy businesses. Eco Whisper turbine, the world’s quietest 20kW wind turbine, is being installed and will be connected to the grid near Tullamarine in Melbourne. All not a moment too soon, with utility companies gearing up to fight, as Germany's success in renewable energy becoming a clear example.
Victoria and NSW. The natives are getting restless about the two governments' anti wind power regulations - Ballarat and Lake Macquarie pushing for solar and wind energy.
Xstrata in Queensland wins Land Court case over environmental objections by Friends of the Earth.to go ahead with gigantic coal mine north of Toowomba. A worrying precedent, as Xstrata merges with environmental vandal Glencore.
Uranium exploration in NSW: thousands petition against this, and environment groups call for an independent public review on uranium mining in NSW.
Bullying at Australian Nuclear and Scientific Organisation (ANSTO): a third employee takes legal action against ANSTO.
International
Fukushima. disturbing revelations today on the very high radioactivity inside the reactors, and the low level of cooling water within them
Nuclear Security Summit. Despite progress made on reducing the world's stocks of enriched uranium, the Summit ended with no firm plans for action on nuclear security or on nuclear disarmament. Meanwhile, alongside the Summit, went military and commercial developments. USA to increase its nuclear submarines visiting Australia, and Australia to host USA base for drone aircraft. South Korea pitching nuclear sales talk to India. Nigeria impressing on the safety of its nuclear power program, despite the well known insecurity of its gas and oil industries.
India; after 8 days, anti nuclear protestors stop their hunger strike, seeing taht teh Tamil Nadu government agrees to their demands to release imprisoned protestors. But the anti nuclear fight will continue
World: global warming getting close to tipping point.
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Christina Macpherson
Antinuclear Australia
www.antinuclear.net
www.nuclear-news.net