Report Release - Opportunities to Waste: Australian Universities and the Nuclear Industry : Melbourne Indymedia

The launch is held today to commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

The report examines the Federal Government's National Research Priorities, the involvement and influence of the uranium mining industry in setting research agendas and curricula, and includes profiles of academics, research initiatives and university departments.

Report co-author and ASEN Nuclear-free Universities Campaign Co-ordinator, Holly Creenaune says, "Nuclear power is not part of a sustainable future for Australia. Young people want renewable energy technologies to be fully supported. We don't want to work in climate polluting, dangerous industries. Our politicians are pushing us into a dangerous future.

"A diverse and vibrant anti-nuclear movement saw the closure of the sole remaining School of Nuclear Engineering at the University of NSW in the 1980s. In 2006, there were no courses in nuclear engineering offered in Australia as a result of the sustained public pressure against an industry that remains unwanted.

"The report highlights expansion and investment in nuclear research and training at universities is a prerequisite for the Howard Government's push to expand the nuclear industry in Australia."

ASEN National Convenor, Nicola Ison says "Australian universities have shown they are eager to exploit the enthusiasm of the Howard Government, already looking to form an Australia-wide nuclear science and technology school. Universities interested include Australian National University, Western Australian universities, Wollongong, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland University of Technology and RMIT."

"Students oppose our universities performing the role of research and training ground for dangerous and unsustainable industries. In the face of dangerous climate change, Australian universities have an important opportunity and responsibility to invest in a safe, secure, non-polluting renewable energy sector", Ms Ison concluded.

For further information or to receive a hardcopy of the report, please contact Holly Creenaune on holly@asen.org.au

Opportunities to Waste: Australian Universities and the Nuclear Industry http://www.asen.org.au/OpportunitiesToWaste/

About ASEN:
The Australian Student Environment Network is the national network of students active on environmental, social and cultural justice issues. ASEN is made up of the state environment networks, which are made of campus environment collectives.

ASEN was created by and continues to be organised by young activists committed to change. Students use the network to organise local campaigns, share information and resources, and embark on national campaigns such as Clean Energy on Campus and Nuclear-Free Universities.

Web: http://www.asen.org.au
Email: info@asen.org.au

The Institute for Child Health Research in Western Australia has found the number of boys born with genital defects in the state has more than doubled over the past 20 years.

Its research shows in the year 2000, one in every 118 Western Australian boys were born with hypospadias, where the opening of the penis forms on its underside rather than its tip.

Researcher Dr Natasha Nassar says the prevalence of hypospadias has risen at a rate of 2 per cent per annum over the last 20 years with the rate of moderate or severe hypospadias almost doubling.

This had led researchers to speculate that pollution or agricultural chemicals could be playing havoc with hormone levels of male foetuses, and more research is needed in this area.

Hypospadias can be corrected with surgery.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1906866.htm

The Australian Student Environment Network launches:
Opportunities to Waste: Australian Universities and the Nuclear Industry
Tuesday 1st May 7-9pm
Melbourne University Law Building G08 Law School
Pelham Street, Parkville

The report examines the role of the university in supporting, legitimising and furthering a nuclear industry in Australia, at the expense of research, development and education in fields of renewable technologies.

Discussion of how universities can lead the way in research and development of renewable energies rather than nuclear.
Film Screening of 'Climate of Hope' - why Nuclear Power is no solution to climate change, and other problems associated with the nuclear industry

Speakers:
Harry Van Moorst, Western Region Environment Centre
Professor Jim Falk, Director of the Australian Centre for Science, Innovation and Society (ACSIS)
Claire McCall and Julia Dehm, Australian Student Environment Network