Nuclear Never Safe

Saturday, 18 May 2024 - 10:00am to 10:30am

Today's we bring you nuclear news with Friends of the Earth Australia's National Nuclear-free campaigner Dr. Jim Green. We discuss Dutton's push for nuclear power in Australia; the UK nuclear power construction at Hinkley Point; the growing threat of nuclear war and the latest nuclear waste threat under AUKUS - the Australia, UK and US military pact.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 establishes a new regulatory framework to promote and regulate the nuclear safety of activities relating to AUKUS submarines. The framework would apply to Australian submarines and to activities related to UK/US submarines.  We’ve learnt that it could make Australia a dumping ground of high-level military nuclear waste from the United Kingdom and United States – if laws proposed by Defence Minister Richard Marles are rushed through Parliament in the coming weeks. 

An Inquiry into the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill reported on Monday 13th May and Recommendation 3 is as follows:

'The Committee recommends that the Government consider amending the Bill so that a distinction is made between Australia’s acceptance of low-level nuclear waste from AUKUS partners, but non-acceptance of high-level nuclear waste.'
 
Take action now and contact your local parliamentarian to call on them to close this dangerous loophole in the legislation
The nuclear free collective have a proforma letter that you can send to your local representative: www.melbournefoe.org.au/no_aukus_intl_waste

Friends of the Earth Melbourne has a petition to sign opposing Peter Duttons plan to build large scale nuclear power plants in Victoria:  www.melbournefoe.org.au/nonuclearvic_petition

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency are considering application No A0346 by the Australian Submarine Agency to prepare a site for a prescribed radiation facility (namely a low level waste management and maintenance facility) to be known as the 'Controlled Industrial Facility' at the existing HMAS Stirling site, at Garden Island, Rockingham in Western Australia.To have your say go to https://consult.arpansa.gov.au.  Submissions close at 11:59pm on 7 June.

If you want all these actions and updates sent straight to your email sign up the Friends of the Earth Melbourne Nuclear Free news.

We featured the song 'Enough is Enough' recorded by Jampijinpa Ned Hargraves at Resident Frequency studios in Collingwood.  THe song will have it's live premiere at an event on Friday 24th of May at Catalyst Social Centre to raise much needed funds to support the Walker family during the coronial inquest into Kumanjayi Walkers death.
Karrinjarla Muwajarri Fundraiser
4pm at Catalyst , 144 Sydney Rd, Brunswick.
An evening of music and conversations about keeping community safe from racist police.Come share a meal and get cozy around the fire. There will be t-shirts, hoodies and art for sale, dinner by donation and a raffle with GREAT prizes!!!