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| − | Australia has no nuclear power stations and the current Rudd Labor government is opposed to nuclear power for Australia.<ref name=support>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20989451-601,00.html Support for N-power falls] ''The Australian'', 30 December 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2008. | + | [[Nuclear testing]], [[uranium mining]] and export, and [[List of books about nuclear issues|nuclear energy]] have often been the subject of public debate in Australia, and the '''anti-nuclear movement in Australia''' has a long history. Its origins date back to the 1972–73 debate over [[French nuclear testing]] in the Pacific and the 1976–77 debate about [[uranium mining in Australia]].<ref>Jim Green. [http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/330/20531 Australia's anti-nuclear movement: a short history] ''Green Left Online'', 26 August 1998. Retrieved 15 October 2009.</ref><ref name=romps>Jason Koutsoukis. [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/24/1195753376406.html Rudd romps to historic win] ''The Age'', 25 November 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2009.</ref> |
| − | </ref><ref name=romps>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/24/1195753376406.html Rudd romps to historic win] ''The Age'', 25 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref> However, Australia does have a small research reactor (OPAL) in Sydney, and it does export uranium. Australia has 40% of the world's known uranium deposits.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4871000.stm China to buy Australian uranium] ''BBC News'', 3 April 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref> | |
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| − | [[Uranium mining]] and export and nuclear issues have often been the subject of public debate, and the [[List of articles#anti-nuclear movement|anti-nuclear movement]] in Australia has a long history. Its origins date back to the 1972–73 debate over French nuclear testing in the Pacific, which mobilised several groups, and the 1976–77 debate about uranium mining in Australia.<ref>[http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/330/20531 Australia's anti-nuclear movement: a short history] ''Green Left Online'', 26 August 1998. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
| + | Several groups specifically concerned with nuclear issues were established in the mid-1970s, including the Movement Against Uranium Mining and [[Campaign Against Nuclear Energy]] (CANE), cooperating with other environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and the [[Australian Conservation Foundation]].<ref name=bau>Roy McLeod (1995). "Resistance to Nuclear Technology: Optimists, Opportunists and Opposition in Australian Nuclear History" in Martin Bauer (ed) ''Resistance to New Technology'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 171-173.</ref><ref name="Hutton" /> But by the late 1980s, the price of uranium had fallen, and the costs of [[nuclear power]] had risen, and the anti-nuclear movement seemed to have won its case. CANE disbanded itself in 1988.<ref name=mc>Roy McLeod (1995). "Resistance to Nuclear Technology: Optimists, Opportunists and Opposition in Australian Nuclear History" in Martin Bauer (ed) ''Resistance to New Technology'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 175-177.</ref> |
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| − | == Jabiluka ==
| + | About 2003, proponents of nuclear power advocated it as a solution to [[global warming]] and the Australian government began taking an interest. [[Anti-nuclear]] campaigners and some scientists in Australia emphasised that nuclear power could not significantly substitute for other power sources, and that [[uranium mining]] itself could become a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. |
| − | Jabiluka was a planned uranium mine on the land of the indigenious Mirarr people.<ref>http://www.mirarr.net/</ref> The proposed Jabiluka mine site was occupied by environmental activists in 1998 and protests were held in major cities around Australia.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/74196.stm Anti-uranium demos in Australia]</ref> In 2002, the project was stopped.
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| − | ==Issues==
| + | As of 2010, Australia has no nuclear power stations and the current [[Rudd Government|Rudd Labor government]] is opposed to [[Nuclear power in Australia|nuclear power for Australia]].<ref name=support>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20989451-601,00.html Support for N-power falls] ''The Australian'', 30 December 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2009.</ref> Australia has three operating uranium mines at [[Olympic Dam]] (Roxby) and [[Beverley Uranium Mine|Beverley]] - both in [[South Australia]]'s north - and at [[Ranger Uranium Mine|Ranger]] in the Northern Territory. As of April 2009, construction has begun on South Australia's third uranium mine—the [[Honeymoon Uranium Mine]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/24/2552242.htm?section=justin Work begins on Honeymoon uranium mine] ''ABC News'', April 24, 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.</ref> Australia has no [[nuclear weapons]]. |
| − | The case against nuclear power and uranium mining in Australia has been concerned with the environmental, political, economic, social and cultural impacts of nuclear energy; with the shortcomings of nuclear power as an energy source; and with presenting a [[sustainable energy]] strategy. The most prominent adverse impact of nuclear power is seen to be its potential contribution towards proliferation of nuclear weapons. For example, the 1976 Ranger Inquiry report stated unequivocally "The nuclear power industry is unintentionally contributing to an increased risk of nuclear war. This is the most serious hazard associated with the industry".<ref name=Martin>Martin, Brian. [http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/82alternatives.html The Australian anti-uranium movement] ''Alternatives: Perspectives on Society and Environment'', Volume 10, Number 4, Summer 1982, pp. 26–35. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | The health risks associated with nuclear materials have also featured prominently in Australian anti-nuclear campaigns. This has been the case worldwide because of incidents like the [[Chernobyl disaster]], but Australian concerns have also involved specific local factors such as controversy over the health effects of nuclear testing in Australia and the South Pacific, and the emergence of prominent anti-nuclear campaigner [[Helen Caldicott]], who is a medical practitioner.
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| − | The economics of nuclear power has been a factor in anti-nuclear campaigns, with critics arguing that such power is uneconomical in Australia,<ref>See, eg, Brian Martin, [http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/82search.pdf Nuclear Power and the Western Australia Electricity Grid], ''Search'', Vol. 13, No. 5-6, 1982.</ref> particularly given the country's abundance of coal resources.
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| − | From the perspective of the anti-nuclear movement, most of the problems with nuclear power today are much the same as in the 1970s. Nuclear reactor accidents remain a possibility and no convincing solution to the problem of long-lived radioactive waste has been proposed. Nuclear weapons proliferation continues to occur, notably in Pakistan and North Korea, building on facilities and expertise from civilian nuclear operations. The alternatives to nuclear power, [[efficient energy use]] and [[renewable energy]] (especially [[wind power]]), have been further developed and commercialised.<ref name=past>Martin, Brian. [http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/07sa.html Opposing nuclear power: past and present] ''Social Alternatives'', Vol. 26, No. 2, Second Quarter 2007, pp. 43–47. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | ==Active groups==
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| − | *Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia<ref>Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia. [http://www.anawa.org.au/ Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref><ref>Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia. [http://radicalhack.com/anawa/files/final%20final%20june.pdf NewClear News (PDF)]</ref>
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| − | *Australian Conservation Foundation<ref>Australian Conservation Foundation. [http://www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp?section_id=25 Nuclear Free] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Australian Nuclear Free Alliance<ref>Australian Conservation Foundation. [http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=1423 Australian Nuclear Free Alliance] Retrieved 12 January 2008.
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| − | </ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/13/2003808.htm New alliance to mount anti-nuclear election fight] ''ABC News'', 13 August 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle<ref>Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle. [http://canc.org.au/welcome Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *EnergyScience<ref>EnergyScience. [http://www.energyscience.org.au/index.html The Energy debate] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Friends of the Earth<ref>Friends of the Earth Australia. [http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/fighting-fund Anti-Nuclear Fighting Fund] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Greenpeace Australia Pacific<ref>Greenpeace Australia Pacific. [http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/issues/nuclear-power Nuclear power] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta<ref>Friends of the Earth International (2004). [http://www.foei.org/en/publications/link/env-rights/30.html Aboriginal women win battle against Australian Government] Retrieved 29 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Mineral Policy Institute<ref>Mineral Policy Institute (2006).[http://www.mpi.org.au/campaigns/climate/nuclear/ Let’s clear air on real nuclear power agenda] Retrieved 19 February 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Nuclear Free Australia<ref>Nuclear Free Australia. [http://www.nukefreeaus.org/ Nuclear Free Australia] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *Peace Organisation of Australia
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| − | *People for a Nuclear-Free Australia<ref>People for a Nuclear-Free Australia. [http://www.pnfa.org.au/ People for a Nuclear-Free Australia] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *The Australia Institute<ref>The Australia Institute. [http://www.tai.org.au/documents/downloads/MR235.pdf Nuclear Plants - Where would they go?] ''Media release'', 30 January 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2008.</ref>
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| − | *The Sustainable Energy and Anti-Uranium Service Inc.<ref>The Sustainable Energy and Anti-Uranium Service Inc. [http://www.sea-us.org.au/ The Sustainable Energy and Anti-Uranium Service Inc.] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | *The Wilderness Society (Australia)<ref>The Wilderness Society. [https://secure.wilderness.org.au/nuclear/? The Nation said YES! to a Nuclear Free Australia] Retrieved 12 January 2008.</ref>
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| − | ==Individuals==
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| − | There are several prominent Australians who have publicly expressed anti-nuclear views in recent years:
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| − | {|
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| − | *Kevin Buzzacott
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| − | *Helen Caldicott
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| − | *Ian Cohen
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| − | *Mark Diesendorf
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| − | *Jim Falk
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| − | *Peter Garrett
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| − | *Jim Green
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| − | *Jacqui Katona
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| − | | width=1200 align=left |
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| − | *Ian Lowe
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| − | *Scott Ludlam
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| − | *Yvonne Margarula
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| − | *Dee Margetts
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| − | *Brian Martin
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| − | *Kerry Nettle
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| − | *Stuart White
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| − | *Jo Vallentine
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| − | |}
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| − | ==Quotes==
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | Nuclear power in particular is rejected because of its substantial risks (proliferation of nuclear weapons, terrorism, waste management and reactor failures) and economic costs, and because within several decades it will become a significant emitter of CO2, mainly from the fossil fuels used in mining and milling low-grade uranium ore. Based on existing technologies, nuclear power is neither a long-term nor a short-term solution to global warming. -- Dr Mark Diesendorf, 2007.<ref>Diesendorf, Mark (2007). [http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/australia/resources/reports/climate-change/paths-to-a-low-carbon-future.pdf Paths to a Low-Carbon Future: Reducing Australia’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 (PDF)]</ref>
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | Promoting nuclear power as the solution to climate change is like advocating smoking as a cure for obesity. That is, taking up the nuclear option will make it much more difficult to move to the sort of sustainable, ecologically healthy future that should be our goal. -- Professor Ian Lowe, 2007.<ref>Lowe, Ian (2007). [[Reaction Time (book)|Reaction Time]]: climate change and the nuclear option, p. 19.</ref>
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | There are significant constraints on the growth of nuclear power, such as its high capital cost and, in many countries, lack of public acceptability. As a method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power is further limited because it is used almost exclusively for electricity generation, which is responsible for less than one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Because of these problems, the potential for nuclear power to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels is limited. Few predict a doubling of nuclear power output by 2050, but even if it did eventuate it would still only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 5% – less than one tenth of the reductions required to stabilise atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. -- Dr Jim Green, 2005.<ref>Green, Jim (2005). [http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/nuclear-climate/NukesNoSolutionFull.pdf Nuclear Power: No Solution to Climate Change (PDF)]</ref>
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| − | </blockquote>
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| | == References == | | == References == |
| | <references/> | | <references/> |
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| | [[category:Australia]] | | [[category:Australia]] |
Nuclear testing, uranium mining and export, and nuclear energy have often been the subject of public debate in Australia, and the anti-nuclear movement in Australia has a long history. Its origins date back to the 1972–73 debate over French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the 1976–77 debate about uranium mining in Australia.[1][2]
Several groups specifically concerned with nuclear issues were established in the mid-1970s, including the Movement Against Uranium Mining and Campaign Against Nuclear Energy (CANE), cooperating with other environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and the Australian Conservation Foundation.[3][4] But by the late 1980s, the price of uranium had fallen, and the costs of nuclear power had risen, and the anti-nuclear movement seemed to have won its case. CANE disbanded itself in 1988.[5]
About 2003, proponents of nuclear power advocated it as a solution to global warming and the Australian government began taking an interest. Anti-nuclear campaigners and some scientists in Australia emphasised that nuclear power could not significantly substitute for other power sources, and that uranium mining itself could become a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
As of 2010, Australia has no nuclear power stations and the current Rudd Labor government is opposed to nuclear power for Australia.[6] Australia has three operating uranium mines at Olympic Dam (Roxby) and Beverley - both in South Australia's north - and at Ranger in the Northern Territory. As of April 2009, construction has begun on South Australia's third uranium mine—the Honeymoon Uranium Mine.[7] Australia has no nuclear weapons.
References
- ↑ Jim Green. Australia's anti-nuclear movement: a short history Green Left Online, 26 August 1998. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ↑ Jason Koutsoukis. Rudd romps to historic win The Age, 25 November 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ↑ Roy McLeod (1995). "Resistance to Nuclear Technology: Optimists, Opportunists and Opposition in Australian Nuclear History" in Martin Bauer (ed) Resistance to New Technology, Cambridge University Press, pp. 171-173.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Hutton
- ↑ Roy McLeod (1995). "Resistance to Nuclear Technology: Optimists, Opportunists and Opposition in Australian Nuclear History" in Martin Bauer (ed) Resistance to New Technology, Cambridge University Press, pp. 175-177.
- ↑ Support for N-power falls The Australian, 30 December 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ↑ Work begins on Honeymoon uranium mine ABC News, April 24, 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
