Ray Payne OAM- 20/06/2024

Australia stands at a crossroads. With the recent unveiling of the Coalition’s plans for nuclear power generation by Peter Dutton, it’s clear that we need to confront the reality of our energy future head-on. It’s time for Australians to take charge and demand a plebiscite on this critical issue in conjunction with the next federal election. The question is straightforward: should Australia embrace nuclear power to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation? Yes or No.

It is baffling that despite our nation’s impressive educational achievements, we have yet to harness the potential of nuclear energy. The first nuclear fission powerhouses, submarines, and ships were developed many years ago. Today, there are hundreds of nuclear power generators worldwide, yet none in Australia. Why? The answer lies in decades of misinformation and a lack of public understanding.

Many of our tertiary-educated professionals seem to have missed the fundamental principles of nuclear power. This energy source, utilized safely and efficiently by numerous countries, remains off-limits in Australia due to outdated fears and political inertia. It’s time for a change.

The Australian people deserve the right to decide their energy future. We must move beyond the political games and let the public have a say. A plebiscite offers a democratic solution, allowing every Australian to voice their opinion on whether nuclear power should be part of our energy mix. This decision should not be left to a select few in Canberra but should be made by the millions who will be directly impacted by it.

For too long, Australians have been subjected to half a century of biased rhetoric against nuclear power. It’s time to cut through the noise and make an informed decision based on facts, not fear. We need reliable, affordable, and continuous baseload power to maintain our status as a first-world nation. Renewable energy sources, while important, cannot alone meet these needs. Without a strong energy foundation, we risk slipping into second-world status, dependent on imports for basic necessities and unable to support robust heavy industries.

Our predecessors have worked hard to build a prosperous nation, and we owe it to them and future generations to make wise energy choices. Let us not squander their legacy by shying away from the nuclear option without due consideration.

As we approach the next federal election, let’s demand a plebiscite on nuclear power. This issue is far more critical to our nation’s future than the divisive Voice Referendum of 2023. It’s about securing a sustainable, prosperous future for all Australians.

So, let’s put it to a vote. Let the people decide whether nuclear power should be a part of Australia’s energy strategy. It’s time to end the political posturing and let common sense prevail. Australia, it’s your future – make your voice heard!

Note: you are welcome to share this if you wish.

Israel is on high alert as the threat of an “all-out war” with Hezbollah intensifies, according to a stark warning from Israel’s foreign minister.

Alarm Raised:

• Israel’s top diplomat has issued a serious warning about Hezbollah’s activities. The group has released videos allegedly showing Israeli military sites, prompting a severe reaction from Israel.
• The footage, pending verification, reportedly displays missile storage and military warehouses, indicating a potential breach of Israeli airspace.

Conflict Escalation:

• Daily clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah are escalating, creating a perilous situation that could spiral into a full-scale war if de-escalation does not occur soon.
• The Israeli government is attempting to evacuate 80,000 people from the northern region near the Lebanese border amid ongoing rocket attacks, complicating efforts to ensure their safety.
• Some Israeli officials believe that a ground invasion of Lebanon might be necessary to restore order and allow displaced residents to return safely.

Hezbollah’s Retaliation:

• Since October 8, following a major attack by Hamas, Hezbollah has been retaliating against Israeli targets.
• The situation intensified further after Israel eliminated one of Hezbollah’s key commanders, Taleb Abdullah, leading to heightened retaliatory actions from the group. This cycle of tit-for-tat attacks is dangerously escalating the conflict.

When an unexpected staff shortage left 7th Signal Regiment workshops without an artificer sergeant major (ASM) in June 2022, Sergeant Leighton Wilson was the only one capable of filling the position.

With a small crew and a significant backlog of work, Sergeant Wilson took over the workshop to ensure the unit’s fleet of protected mobility electronic warfare vehicles were kept running.

By using part-time soldiers to supplement the full-time tradesmen, the team cut their backlog in half over six months, with Sergeant Wilson floating between administration and on the tools to help out.

“I was doing corporal through to ASM jobs, just trying to get as much production out of a very small crew, but trying not to burn them out,” Sergeant Wilson said.

“I’d decided to take on most of the burden myself, and protect the workshop members. To put it into perspective, I was coming to work and going home in the dark.”

Sergeant Wilson also leveraged support from the local Capability Sustainment and Acquisition Group workshop, as well as Thales, to assist with the workload.

During this period, a significant maintenance issue was identified on the protected mobility electronic warfare vehicles’ ancillary power units.

After some investigation, Sergeant Wilson was approved to run trials and recommended changing the maintenance regime.

Sergeant Wilson remained in the position until the end of 2022, when a new artificer sergeant major and platoon commander marched into the unit.

“It was a good experience. I’m someone who likes to work, and being given a bit of free rein by the CO (Commanding Officer) to run the workshop and do what needed to be done was quite good,” he said.

For his efforts, Sergeant Wilson was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal as part of the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.

Although he felt he was only doing his job and wasn’t expecting a nomination, Sergeant Wilson said it was good to be recognised.

“It’s impressed a few people, to do the job to the standard that we did and achieve all the required maintenance we needed to for the year and with no real hiccups,” he said.

“You often feel like you go around the same old tree over and over again, and no one seems to notice. But when you get the recognition, it is quite a proud moment.”

California-based energy expert Michael Shellenberger argues that the media’s portrayal of the planet’s health is misleading, citing significant declines in natural disasters and related deaths over the past decades. Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) Conference in London, Shellenberger described the lack of accurate reporting as “one of the worst cases of climate misinformation and disinformation.”

High Energy Societies as a Solution

Shellenberger advocates for increased energy consumption to protect the environment, promoting a “pro-human vision” that includes “energy abundance, unlocking prosperity, and environmental progress.” He argued that conserving nature requires substitutes for natural resources, achieved through intensified energy consumption. “We save nature by using more energy so that we can produce more food on less land and return our farmed areas to grasses and forests,” he explained.

Energy advancements have lifted many people out of poverty and reduced land use for food production by over 60 percent since 1960, benefiting endangered species. “There is no rich low-energy country just as there is no poor high-energy one,” Shellenberger said. He identified nuclear energy as the “safest, cleanest” source, requiring significantly less land compared to solar and wind energy.

Shellenberger criticized Germany’s approach to reducing energy consumption, arguing that increasing gas consumption would effectively reduce coal use. “If you want to increase your carbon emissions, shut down your nuclear plants and follow the example of Germany,” he warned.

Challenges with Renewable Energy

Shellenberger also contended that the costs of renewable energy increase as their use scales up. He pointed out that the value of wind and solar energy decreases significantly when they make up a larger portion of an electricity grid. He argued that renewable energy’s advocates often overlook the costs of necessary infrastructure such as transmission lines and storage. “The more renewable you have, the higher the cost of your electricity,” he stated.

He also criticized the ethics of relying on solar panels produced by persecuted minorities in concentration camps, calling for an end to such practices.

Climate Change as a Modern Religion

Shellenberger suggested that the fervour of the climate change movement stems from the rise of atheism and secularization, drawing parallels between the climate change narrative and religious beliefs. “If we don’t have a God to believe, and if we don’t have a religion, we will create one, consciously or unconsciously, and that’s what’s occurred,” he concluded.

On June 19, the federal opposition announced plans to construct seven nuclear reactors across Australia. The Liberal-National Coalition intends to repurpose retiring coal-fired power stations into nuclear facilities. The proposed sites include Loy Yang Power Station in Victoria’s Gippsland area, Callide and Tarong in Queensland, Port Augusta in South Australia, Collie in Western Australia, as well as Mount Piper in Lithgow and Liddell in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

These privately owned sites will be acquired by the government and managed by a Commonwealth corporation, similar to the operations of the National Broadband Network and Snowy Hydro companies. The Coalition plans to initially develop two projects: either the AP1000 by Westinghouse or the APR1400 by Korea Electric Power Corporation, aiming for completion between 2035 and 2037. A full rollout is projected for the 2040s, ahead of the 2050 net zero target.

“We know the [Labor] government has a renewables-only policy which is not fit for purpose,” said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. He emphasized the need for reliable baseload power to ensure continuous operation of essential services like hospitals and cold storage facilities, which he argues can only be achieved with nuclear energy.

Dutton highlighted the potential for utilizing existing infrastructure, such as the poles and wires currently serving coal-fired power stations, to distribute energy from the new nuclear reactors. He claimed the project would cost significantly less than the government’s net zero policy, which is expected to exceed $1 trillion and includes new transmission infrastructure, wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage.

Despite the lack of a detailed cost analysis, Dutton argued that countries with nuclear power experience lower energy prices and smoother transitions for workers from coal to nuclear facilities. He noted that the primary difference between nuclear and coal power plants lies in how water is heated to generate steam, allowing most downstream employees to transition easily to nuclear sites.

“We will have more to say in relation to the cost in due course, and as you know, we’ve done this in a step-by-step process,” Dutton added.

Taking his cue from fauxborigine Bruce Pascoe, reader Frank Pledge shares the pride he felt on becoming an Aborigine:

At the next census, please tick the box that says you are an Aboriginal indigenous first nations native of this once great country. This request is prompted by my recent experience filling out a medical form when I was referred to see a specialist. One section asked:

“Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?”

I thought about, then ticked ‘Yes’. The receptionist knew I have no Aboriginal DNA but did not bat an eye as she said: “There will be no charge for your consultation.” I shook my head and she smiled.

If Bruce Pascoe can grow rich and famous by daubing on the ochre and making up a tommyrot lineage, why not me? If Australia can accept a Sudanese man with 25 criminal convictions (including rape, assault and armed robbery) because he ‘feels Aboriginal’, then I ‘feel’ I am every bit as worthy as him. I recommend that every Australian claim to be indigenous too.

I acknowledge and welcome to modern Australia my mythical ancestors. They managed to survive without inventing the wheel, medicine, pottery, writing, weaving, agriculture, animal husbandry, commerce (money) or stone buildings while devoting 60,000 years to perfecting ‘the world’s oldest continuous culture’. You invaders just never gave us enough time.

I recognise the benefits provided to all Australians by science, philosophy, engineering, British law, fossil fuels, agriculture and the inspiration of Renaissance thinking. Now I demand my share! (Bank account details to follow, plus an accounting of how much you owe me.)

I respect those of our political leaders, past and present and irrespective of their race or origin, for providing all modern Australians with tremendous lifestyle advantages through innovations in science, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, medicine, literature and education.

Now, in the noble cause of diversity, equity and inclusion, I demand those Australians reluctant to assert their notional indigeneity begin immediately transferring ever more of Australia’s wealth and real estate to claimants like me.

I hate to be picky, but I ask that you please pay me in gold. The way the country is going, your WMDs — white man’s dollars — don’t strike me as stable long-term propositions.

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UGVs are just starting to be used in large numbers. But with the war becoming ever-more deadly, robots like the D-21-11 are set to provide some much-needed relief for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where many soldiers are now well into their third year of war. They can be fitted with a machine gun and used to assault, but also to evacuate dead or wounded as well as bring supplies to the trenches.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is contemplating the deployment of additional nuclear weapons as a strategic response to escalating global threats. This consideration is driven by a series of geopolitical tensions and perceived aggressions from major world powers.

Rationale Behind the Nuclear Deployment Discussions

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has suggested that showcasing the alliance’s nuclear capabilities could serve as a potent deterrent against potential adversaries. In light of these threats, consultations are underway regarding the removal of missiles from storage to be placed on high alert.

Key Factors Influencing NATO’s Nuclear Strategy

1. Deterrence Strategy: Stoltenberg emphasizes the need for a visible nuclear arsenal to prevent hostile actions from nations such as Russia, China, and North Korea. He contends that the presence of NATO’s nuclear weapons serves as a critical counterbalance in maintaining global stability.
2. Ongoing Consultations: Discussions among NATO member states are focused on the logistics and implications of readying nuclear missiles. This includes evaluating the strategic benefits and potential risks associated with such a move.
3. Nonproliferation vs. Security: Despite NATO’s commitment to nonproliferation, Stoltenberg argues that a scenario where adversaries possess nuclear capabilities while NATO does not pose a greater risk. The alliance believes that maintaining a robust nuclear arsenal is essential for deterring aggression and ensuring collective security.

Reactions and Geopolitical Tensions

The proposal to bolster NATO’s nuclear posture has elicited strong reactions, particularly from Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned Stoltenberg’s comments, characterizing them as an escalation of nuclear rhetoric. President Vladimir Putin regards the discussion of nuclear armament with utmost seriousness, reflecting the high stakes involved in such deliberations.

Additionally, Russia’s joint nuclear drills with Belarus have further exacerbated the situation, highlighting the growing military tensions in the region.

Conclusion

As NATO navigates the complexities of modern global threats, the alliance’s consideration of expanding its nuclear arsenal underscores the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for international security and the future of nuclear nonproliferation efforts.