Australia’s nuclear-free collective efforts and achievements in 2021.

Dave Sweeney, 31 Dec 21,

• Nuclear weapons made illegal: Climate change and nuclear weapons are the two existential threats facing our planet – one reduces our chances every day while the other could end our chances in a day. ICAN – the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons – was recognised with the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force and became part on international humanitarian law in January 2021. Our planets worst weapons are now illegal.

• International support is growing for the Treaty and the first meeting of state parties is planned to be held in Vienna in March – https://icanw.org.au/
• Superannuation and pension funds are among those divesting from companies involved in nuclear weapons – https://quitnukes.org/
• Pushing for the Treaty is an important counterpoint to the AUKUS driven lurch to ever greater militarisation

• Resistance, rehab and repair: our efforts to stop further, and clean up former, uranium mines saw important results. 

• All mining and mineral processing at the Ranger mine in Kakadu ceased in January 2021. Nuclear free advocates are now working closely with the Mirarr Traditional Owners to ensure that primary mine owner Rio Tinto does a credible and comprehensive rehabilitation and in supporting an Aboriginal centred post mining regional economy in Kakadu.
• A federal commitment to ‘full’ funding of a new clean up of the former Rum Jungle site in the NT was confirmed in the 2021 budget
• Despite extensive efforts there was a disappointing outcome in WA with the recent further approval of the Mulga Rock project east of Kalgoorlie. It is a long journey from a signed paper to a commercial mine and the project faces strong contest – https://www.ccwa.org.au/nuclearfreewa
• International collaboration continued with efforts to track the impacts of Australian uranium miners in Africa, Spain and Greenland. Opposition to the planned Kvanefjeld uranium project, driven by Perth based Greenland Minerals, was a dominant issue in the 2021 Greenland election which was won by nuclear-free politicians who have since introduced a national ban on uranium mining.

• 
  Responsible radioactive waste management: the federal government push for a national radioactive waste facility in regional South Australia is not responsible or necessary.

2021 saw deeper co-operation with Barngarla Traditional Owners and Kimba region farmers along with media and political advocacy to highlight and delay the heavy handed federal legislation. Movement advocates welcomed the federal budget allocating $60 million to advance extended interim waste storage at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Lucas Heights nuclear site. This means Australia’s worst waste can effectively stay in place until a longer term approach is developed and that Kimba is a political choice, not a nuclear necessity.

Unsurprisingly, the federal government has to date ignored the potential this move offers for a constructive circuit breaker in this debate.

2022 will see elevated attention to radioactive waste issues with a Barngarla legal challenge – kick in if you can at – https://www.gofundme.com/f/nbp8f8-barngarla-help-us-have-a-say-on-radioactive-waste – the SA state election in March and growing community awareness and engagement – https://nodumpalliance.org.au/

• Renewable, not radioactive: in the year that saw the 10^th anniversary of Fukushima lots of work went into keeping the door closed to domestic nuclear power and contesting nuclear industry promotion of SMR’s – so called small modular reactors – and other distractions to effective climate action. Efforts have focussed attention on the urgent need for proven and renewable energy solutions – renewable, not radioactive. Australian advocates played a key role in a new dedicated website and co-ordinated the development of a global civil society non-nuclear statement released at CoP 26 in Glasgow that was endorsed by 480 organisations across multiple nations – https://dont-nuke-the-climate.org/   There was increased collaboration with regional partners in Japan, the Pacific, the Philippines and Taiwan – including around next steps in the Fukushima waste water story and the recent positive referendum that has ended plans for a new reactor in Taiwan. 2022 is sure to see more chatter and challenge on the domestic nuclear front ahead of the federal election.

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6 October Webinar: Nuclear Power and Climate Change: Can Small Modular Reactors Deliver?

Webinar: Nuclear Power and Climate Change: Can Small Modular Reactors Deliver? For more information and to register: https://sppga.ubc.ca/…/nuclear-power-and-climate…/(See RSVP link and then register with Eventbrite) The presentations will draw upon the 2021 World Nuclear Industry Status ReportWednesday October 6, 2021 TIME (be sure to convert time to your zone)12:30 PM – 1:50 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) 3:30 PM – 4:50 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time)

RAUCUS ANTI-AUKUS CAUCUS – 7 October

https://events.humanitix.com/the-raucus-anti-aukus-caucus?_ga=2.187501804.512725438.1632133724-952805261.1589194945&fbclid=IwAR0iomEuw2ZF0A67mDaJT8oTbOmWwFJMK6FKOjx-TBDEps2ZCtr-9T9kUQ0Raucous Anti-AUKUS Caucus with Scott Ludlum, Guy Rundle, Felicity Ruby, Dimity Hawkins, Prof Clinton Fernandes, Jacob Grech, & Dave Sweeney

Thu 7th Oct 2021, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm AEDT

Event description

Australia plans to develop a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new AUKUS trilateral military pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. This has been described as an act of nuclear proliferation. The pact will increase the US military footprint and troop deployment in Australia, with these nuclear-powered submarines just the thin edge of the wedge. 

The Chinese government has already responded with the threat that Australia is now a nuclear target.

On Thursday 7 October 6.30-8pm Renegade Activists Action Force (RAAF) will host an online public forum for a national response to this issue, featuring former Western Australian Senator Scott Ludlum, author Guy Rundle, Professor of international and political studies at the University of New South Wales, Clinton Fernandes and long standing anti-nuclear campaigners Felicity ‘Flick’ Ruby, Dimity Hawkins, Jacob Grech and Dave Sweeney. Breakout rooms will enable you to share ideas for actions to resist AUKUS in your local community. 

A follow up online gathering will take place in the weeks following this event for local groups to check in and share progress. 

This event is taking place on stolen Aboriginal land that was never ceded. Always was, always will be.

Federal Inquiry into ANSTO nuclear waste storage, submissions due by 30 July 2021

David J Noonan B.Sc., M.Env.St.,Independent Environment Campaigner and Sole Trader Consultant, A ‘Voice’ of the No Dump Alliance 24 July 21

There is a federal Inquiry into ANSTO nuclear waste storage,
Open for submissions to Friday 30 July, at: pwc@aph.gov.au

see more info on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works Inquiry webpage: 
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Intermediate Level Solid Waste Storage Facility Lucas Heights, NSW – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)
FOE has prepared a short letter of submission option, at: 
Nuclear Waste Submission – Friends of the Earth Melbourne (melbournefoe.org.au)for longer submission info suggestions – see input by David Noonan available at:
Noonan-PWC-Inquiry-submission-ANSTO-ILW-July2021.pdf (foe.org.au)

my Recommendations are below (if you make any usage its best in your own words)

RE: Extended storage of ANSTO’s ILW on-site at Lucas Heights is warranted until availability of a final disposal option. The indefinite Store for ANSTO nuclear fuel waste & ILW in SA is untenable.

Dear SecretaryPlease consider this Submission (22 page pdf) with five Recommendations (see p.4) and the request for public release of key ANSTO ILW Reports and further information sought from ANSTO (see p.5-6).

Recommendations to the Public Works Committee Inquiry:

Recommendation 1: ANSTO’s proposed public works on Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) storage must be altered to provide for the necessary and proper Contingency to retain ILW on-site in safe and secure extended storage at Lucas Heights “until the availability of a final disposal option”.

Recommendation 2: ANSTO must not pre-empt ARPANSA Licensing decisions. ANSTO must plan for the valid Contingency that an ARPANSA Approval for proposed indefinite duration above ground nuclear fuel waste and ILW storage in SA may not be granted.

Recommendation 3: The PWC must require and confirm the suitability of any assented ANSTO public works to provide for – and comply with – the necessary Contingency to retain ILW on-site at Lucas Heights until a final disposal option is available.

Recommendation 4: Transparency requiresANSTO must release key ILW Reports and further information to provide an adequate basis for informed decision making in consideration by the PWC and to facilitate informed public interest input to this Inquiry. Including: Two ANSTO Intermediate Level nuclear waste Reports required as part of ARPANSA Licensing Conditions and due to the regulator by 30 June 2020, AND the formal response(s) by ARPANSA.

Recommendation 5: The PWC Inquiry should consider that proposed indefinite storage of ANSTO nuclear fuel waste and ILW in SA is untenable and compromises safety and security in SA. ANSTO’s premise to transfer ILW into indefinite storage in regional SA is contrary to International Best Practice (IBP) and does not comply with ARPANSA Committee advice.

In Conclusion: Extended storage of ANSTO’s ILW on-site at Lucas Heights is a warranted public interest measure and a necessary Contingency until availability of a final disposal option.

ANSTO’s public works are premised on an il-considered, unassured and arguably untenable transfer of ILW into indefinite storage of ANSTO nuclear fuel waste and ILW in regional SA.

I have provided a range of public Briefing materials, for instance: “Nuclear Waste Store siting at Napandee also targets the Port of Whyalla” (see p.21-22).

Australia’s Environmental Protection Act in danger: it’s time to strengthen it.

K-A Garlick   Nuclear Free WA Campaigner, 10 Apr  20, The webinar, Yeelirrie – A Case for Environmental Law Reform was a great success, with a wealth o g Yeelirrie as a case study for environmental law reform. We reviewed the Yelirrie uranium mine assessment process and how we can improve the agility in the Commonwealth environment department to identify and classify threatened and endangered species.eto strengthen it

If you missed the webinar or would like to see the highlights again ~ click here for some great information to help you form your submission to the EPBC Act review.

Keynotes from the webinar, include;

• The importance of retaining the prohibition of nuclear power and the retention of uranium exploration and mining and the inclusion of nuclear actions as a matter of national environmental significance (MNES) under the EPBC Act,
• Environmental protection laws should protect against the extinction of species,
• Opportunity to introduce a merits review in a reformed EPBC Act as an independent, expert court or tribunal to ensure worlds best practice for community participation, accountability and environmental protection,
• We need an independent authority to administer the EPBC Act,
• We need increased open and transparent assessment processes, and
• We need a national EPA as there is no equivalent body at the federal level. A national EPA could undertake independent and technically expert assessments of projects, ensuring that the scientific evidence is put into focus.

The push for the nuclear industry and the Minerals Council of Australia to remove the prohibition on nuclear power and to remove the trigger for uranium mining is a serious push and real threat.

To retain these parts of the EPBC Act we encourage you to write a submission.

The new dont-nuke-the-climate website is a great tool to help you understand the nuclear issues and threat. There is a really useful nuclear ban page, to support your submission writing.  

Submissions are due 17 April 2020.

Make a submission to the The Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

• Via the Department: make a submission using the online form here.
• Via email: epbcreview@environment.gov.au
• Via post: EPBC Act Review Secretariat, Department of the Environment and Energy. GPO Box 787, CANBERRA ACT 2601

The committee ask that you complete and submit this cover page with any submission via e-mail or post. All submissions that include this cover sheet will be considered by the review.

Submissions by April 3rd for Senate Inquiry into selecting nuclear waste dump site in South Australia

Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Economics/Wastemanagementfacility

On  6 February 2018, the Senate referred an inquiry into the selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia to the Senate Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 14 August 2018.

Closing date for submissions is 3rd April 2018 

PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6277 3540
Fax: +61 2 6277 5719
economics.sen@aph.gov.au

 Terms of Reference

On 6 February 2018 the following matter was referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 14 August 2018:

The appropriateness and thoroughness of the site selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility at Kimba and Hawker in South Australia, noting the Government has stated that it will not impose such a facility on an unwilling community, with particular reference to:

1. the financial compensation offered to applicants for the acquisition of land under the Nominations of Land Guidelines;
2. how the need for ‘broad community support’ has played and will continue to play a part in the process, including:
3.             the definition of ‘broad community support’, and
4.             how ‘broad community support’ has been or will be determined for each process advancement stage;
5. how any need for Indigenous support has played and will continue to play a part in the  process, including how Indigenous support has been or will be determined for each process advancement stage;
6. whether and/or how the Government’s ‘community benefit program’ payments affect broad community and Indigenous community sentiment;
7. whether wider (Eyre Peninsular or state-wide) community views should be taken into  consideration  and,  if  so,  how  this  is  occurring  or  should  be occurring; and
8. any other related matters.

Westinghouse, Quit India! [Sign Statement Against Kovvada Nuclear Project]

 

http://www.dianuke.org/westinghouse-quit-india-statement-kovvada-nuclear-project-andhra-pradesh/

Why sign this petitition?  Who has launched it?  Whom are we addressing?

Please sign and circulate this international statement against the Kovvada nuclear plant launched as Westinghouse officials visit India next week.
For more info about the project, please see:
Kovvada: a wake-up call?
Kovvada nuclear plant expensive and dangerous: India’s former Power Secretary warns CAG
In Kovvada, villagers displaced forcibly even as the prospects of Westinghouse’s nuclear project remain uncertain

Mark Parnell gathers 1835 (and counting) South Australians to sign up to No Nuclear Waste Dump for SA

The Federal Government has selected South Australia for their national nuclear waste dump – saying that Barndioota in the Flinders Ranges is their only option.

This is on top of the South Australian Nuclear Royal Commission promoting South Australia as the World’s high level radioactive waste dumping ground.

Constructing a nuclear waste dump in SA is currently illegal and the Greens want it to stay this way.  We ask:

• Is this the best our State can aspire to?

• Is the damage to our State’s reputation worth it?

Radioactive waste is not only dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years, but its storage can never be 100% foolproof.

Last year in the US, a barrel of nuclear waste stored underground at an intermediate waste site in New Mexico ruptured, exposing 22 workers to radiation and costing an estimated $500 million to remediate.

Exposure to radiation can cause serious health problems – including cancer, cardiovascular disease, emphysema and cataracts – and if it enters the soil can contaminate our food and water.

Add you voice and sign the petition below to call on the South Australian Government to enforce our laws and stop nuclear waste being dumped in SA.

---

We the undersigned residents of South Australia, call on the Weatherill Labor Government to enforce the Nuclear Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act 2000, to prevent a nuclear waste dump in South Australia. signatures:http://sagreens.markparnell.org.au/no_waste_dump_for_sa So the current count is 25 to 1833?

15 October Across Australia: No Nuclear Waste Dumnping!!!

SOUTH AUSTRALIA . NUCLEAR WASTE DUMPs     NOT WORTH THE RISK!    STAND UP FOR SA
11AM, OCT 15, 2016   PARLIAMENT HOUSE STEPS   NORTH TCE ADELAIDE  KAURNA LAND

Lets come together to show our support for a nuclear free future!

We encourage all creativity so bring your banners, signs and costumes. Lets make it a great day.

Saturday October 15, 2016 marks 63 years since the first atomic bomb test at Emu Junction in South Australia.

The Federal Government is pursuing plans to build a national waste dump in the Flinders Ranges while a proposal for South Australia to take the worlds international high level nuclear waste continues to be progressed by the SA state government.

Communities across the state are saying ‘no way’.

We can do better than to take the worlds worst waste’.

NEW SOUTH WALES  National Day of Action October 15* http://dontdumponsaoct15.org/
12pm Pitt Street Mall near King Street (Sydney CBD).
Gathering on Gadigal Land.
Speakers include Adnyamathanha Traditional Owner Juanella McKenzie.
Click here to view the Sydney Facebook event. Join Uranium Free NSW on October 15 to say ‘Don’t nuclear waste Australia’.

VICTORIA  This Saturday in Melbourne  Peaceful solidarity action. Saturday October 15, 11am‒1pmOutside Flinders St Train Station, cnr. Flinders & Swanston Sts. www.facebook.com/events/1670387339944939/   South Australian Aboriginal First Nations face severe threats of nuclear waste dumps and need your support! The federal government is trying to impose a national nuclear waste dump in the Flinders Ranges despite the unanimous opposition of Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners. And the SA state government is promoting a plan to import 138,000 tonnes of high-level nuclear waste from around the world despite overwhelming opposition from First Nations.

Please join us on Saturday October 15, 11am‒1pm, outside Flinders St Train Station, for a peaceful, fun solidarity action to support South Australian First Nations in their struggle for country and culture.

Saturday October 15 also marks the 63rd anniversary of the first of the British atomic bomb tests in SA.

More information on the National Day of Action:   www.dontdumponsaoct15.org/proposed-sites

www.facebook.com/NationalDayofActionAgainstNuclearWasteDumps/

 

National Day of Action: No Nuclear Waste Dumps on Aboriginal Land!

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON NUCLEAR WASTE – Friday 14th OCTOBER
City West Lotteries House (2 Delhi St West Perth) – 10.30am
Right now South Australia is we’re facing two nuclear waste dumps; a national dump in the beautiful Flinders Ranges and an international dump to take the world’s nuclear waste. The decision to import high level nuclear waste is a forever decision. Once we make it, there’s no going back. This is a decision that we cannot make for thousands of generations of future South Australians. On the 15th October, on the 63rd anniversary of the Emu Field atomic bomb tests, stand up for SA and join the National Day of action to say no to nuclear waste dumps in SA. Event Details *please share on facebook and social media

Submit your own event here:

http://dontdumponsaoct15.org/submit-your-event/

Will the Australian Labor Party cave in to the nuclear lobby?

IT’S TIME TO PUT AUSTRALIA’S FEDERAL LABOR POLITICIANS ON THE SPOT

It is best to send emails or letters in your own  words. However, here’s an example anyway.

This website will follow with interest – the politicians who bothered to answer, and whether or not they will stick to Labor’s policy.

 SAMPLE EMAIL 

Sender’s address, and date

The Hon Mr or Ms……..

Member for

Dear …….

As the Federal Election approaches, I need to know what is you position on the nuclear issue.

The 2015 National Policy Platform states:

154. Labor will:

• Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste; 
• Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia; 
• Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and 
• Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.

The South Australian Labor government t is promoting a move to import nuclear wastes.  In view of this, the National Labor Party will surely be re-examining the national policy.

Before deciding on my vote, I need to be sure of Labor policy on this issue.

Please tell me:

Will you vote to keep the present Labor policy as above, or will you vote to change it?

Yours faithfully

***********************************************************

EMAIL ADDRESSES OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Federal MPs and candidates

House of Representatives

Hon Mark Butler MP – MP Port Adelaide      Mark.Butler.MP@aph.gov.au   

Hon  Nick Champion MP – Wakefield    Nick.Champion.MP@aph.gov.au

Hon Kate Ellis MP Adelaide    kate.ellis.mp@aph.gov.au

 Hon Amanda Rishworth MP – Kingston      Amanda.Rishworth.MP@aph.gov.au  

 Mr Tony Zappia MP – Wakefield    Tony.Zappia.MP@aph.gov.au

Senate

Senator Alex Gallacher     senator.gallacher@aph.gov.au

Senator Anne McEwen     senator.mcewen@aph.gov.au

Senator Penny Wong –      senator.wong@aph.gov.au

 Candidates for House of Reps

Glen Dallimore – for Mayo  glen.dallimore@alp.org.au   0498 163 283

Matt Loader   for Sturt matt.loader@alp.org.au 0481 873 654

Scott Martin for Grey  scott.martin@alp.org.au  0497 749 663

Steve Georganas  for Hindmarsh  steve.georganas@alp.org.au 0499 257 333

Mat O’Brien for Barker  mat.obrien@alp.org.au 0458 641 452

Mark Ward for Boothby  mark.ward@alp.org.au 0474 910 567

Candidates for Senate

Michael Allison michael.allison@alp.org.au

Bronwyn Gallacher  Bronwyn.gallacher@alp.org.au

Don Farrell  don.farrell@alp.org.au

VICTORIAN MEMBERS OF FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

MPs 
Hon Anthony Byrne MP – MP for Holt   Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au  (03) 9796 7533
Hon Ms Lisa Chesters MP – for Bendigo  Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055
Hon Michael Danby MP – Melbourne Ports – Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9534 8126
Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP – for Isaacs –   mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au
Hon David Feeney – for Batman     david.feeney@australianlabor.com.au
Hon Andrew Giles for Scullin – Andrew.Giles@vic.alp.org.au  (03) 9404 1911
Hon Catherine King  MP for Ballarat  Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au    03) 5338 8123
Hon Jenny Macklin – for Jagajaga no email.(03) 9459 1411
Richard Marles- for Coria     richard.marles.mp@aph.gov.au    03) 5221 3033

Rob Mitchell MP  – for Mcewan    rob.mitchell.mp@aph.gov.au  (03) 9333 0440
Brendan O’Connor for Gorton    Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au   (03) 8390 6166
Clare O’Neil – for Hotham     Clare.ONeil.MP@aph.gov.au     (03) 9545 6211
Ms Joanne Ryan- for Lalor – no email (03) 9742 5800
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP – for Calwell     Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9367 5216
Mr Tim Watts MP for Gellibrand   http://www.timwatts.net.au/Contact/Contact-Info (03)9687 7661

SENATORS VICTORIA
Senator the Hon Kim Carr   senator.carr@aph.gov.au  (03) 9639 2798
Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins     https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contact_Senator_or_Member?MPID=GB6
03) 9890 7022
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy   senator.conroy@aph.gov.au (03) 9391 4952
Senator Gavin Marshall   senator.marshall@aph.gov.au  (03) 9348 9699CANDIDATES  VICTORIA
Chris Buckingham for McMillan   Chris.Buckingham@vic.alp.org.au      0405 518 057
Paul Klisaris – for Ashton paul.klisaris@vic.alp.org.au   0412 516 026
Hovig Melkonian –  for Casey   hovigmelkonian@australianlabor.com.au     0459 959 095
Stefanie Perri – for Chisholm    stefanie.perri@australianlabor.com.au (03) 9544 2192
Shashi Bhatti – for Gippsland  https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Shashi%2BBhatti/keywords_top
Carl Katter – for Higgins  carl@carlkatter.com  0432 507 140
Libby Coker,   for Corangamite, libby.coker@libbycoker.com.au  0400 267 288
Matthew Coote – for Goldstein  matthew.coote@vic.alp.org.au    0435 496 625
Tony Clark – for Deakin (03) 8819 0398 http://tonyclark.net.au/Contact
Simon Curtis for Latrobe    simon.curtis@vic.alp.org.au   0400 174 155
Marg D’Arcy  marg@margdarcy.com  0409859046
Sophie Ismail for Melbourne  sophie4melbourne@gmail.com  0474 014 540
Eric Kerr – for Indi  Eric.Kerr@vic.alp.org.au
Peta Murphy – for Dunkley 0468 778 143 peta.murphy@vic.alp.org.au
Carolyn Gleixner – for Flinders    carolyngleixneralp@gmail.com   (03) 5989 0537
Adam Rundell for Menzies   Adam.Rundell@vic.alp.org.au
Lydia Senior – for Mallee   lydia@lydiasenior.com.au  0447 133 893
Alan Williams for Murray Alan.Williams@vic.alp.org.au