May 29, 2003

Confirmation of serious safety breaches in the construction of the new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights have alarmed community and environment groups, who are demanding an immediate halt to construction works and an independent inquiry.

May 26, 2003

Position : Anti-Nuclear Campaigner

Friends of the Earth, Australia is seeking a committed and passionate campaigner to work on nuclear issues across Australia. The campaigner would be responsible for coordinating the national campaign in conjunction with local FoE groups, especially in Melbourne. The position is
for 4 days per week and covers key elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, including proposed waste facilities, current uranium mines, the Lucas Heights reactor, engagement with Indigenous and other affected communities and liaison with the national environment movement.

May 14, 2003

> http://www.climatelaw.org

An unprecedented alliance of 70 environmental organisations, lawyers, academics and individuals in 29 countries have today announced their backing for legal cases to combat climate change . Under the umbrella of the international and collaborative Climate Justice Programme, they want to see existing laws enforced to help present and future generations and hold the perpetrators of climate damage accountable and liable for the consequences of their actions. These cases have already started.

May 14, 2003

May 13, 2003 Washington (US) / Brussels (Belgium) -- The United States administration is to bring a case in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the European Union over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), according to media reports today [1]. The US case may be joined by Argentina and Canada, large-scale GMO producers, and by Egypt, hoping for a US free trade deal later this year.

May 9, 2003

The Federal Government has given the go ahead for the highly controversial national nuclear waste dump today. The approval of the National Radioactive Waste Repository Environment Impact Statement allows for the road transportation and burial of radioactive waste from the Sydney Nuclear Reactor in South Australia. The fallout surrounding the project was increased this week with the announcement of a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the plans including powers to call Federal witnesses.

May 6, 2003

Federal Government moves to transport large volumes of radioactive waste through NSW suburban and regional communities have run into a serious hurdle with the Carr Government confirming a dedicated NSW Parliamentary Inquiry will examine the controversial plan.

May 2, 2003

An update from Peter Sims, Tarkine National Coalition/ FoE Tasmania forests campaigner:

"When bad news comes in trees" was the headline in The Australian newspaper Business Extra published on 30 April. This is a good expose on the self-regulation of the Tasmanian forest industry by reporter Carol Altman.

May 1, 2003

Kakadu Mayday Call: Mining Giant Rio Tinto Must Act Now

Friends of the Earth Australia
Australian Conservation Foundation
Environment Centre NT (ECNT)

Leading environmental groups will call on British based mining giant Rio Tinto to honour its existing commitments and begin rehabilitating the stalled Jabiluka uranium mine site in Kakadu National Park at the company's annual meeting in Perth today. A statement from senior Mirrar traditional owner Yvonne Margarula calling for rehabilitation and clear consent provisions will also be presented at today's meeting.

April 24, 2003

April 24, 2003 - Paris, France / Tokyo, Japan -- Leaked documents from the 'Group of 8' (G8) exposing a dispute between G8 ministers over liability of big business for oil spills were released by Friends of the Earth International today. [ 1 ]

April 15, 2003

Friends of the Earth Australia has today welcomed the award of a major international environment prize to senior Aboriginal women from northern South Australia for their efforts to stop radioactive waste dumping on their traditional lands.