The Environment Report (ER) on the risk associated with Talisman Sabre 2019 has been released by the Australian Defence Force. In previous years this (a ‘Public’ Environment Report) has been prepared by an external source so it is interesting that for Talisman Sabre 2019, the report has been produced by the ADF themselves. Surely much more reliable and accurate when we do it ourselves?

Got problems with the report? Or don’t agree with the ADF’s findings on the impact that these war games will have on the environment? Comments can be submitted prior to 17 May and will be addressed in a Consultation Report that will be published prior to the start of the war games in July.
Continue reading “Environment Report Released” →

by Robin Taubenfeld

A year has passed since the accident.

My friend has convinced me to tackle the fateful road again.  I am worried. The last – and only – time I drove it, I braked on a curve, spun out the tires, lost control of the car and after spinning around on the road just barely missed crashing into a fallen gum tree.  I nearly killed us all. My 9 year old daughter was in the back, as were my friend’s 7 year old son and her partner.  She was in the front with me and yet she proposed travelling the road again; we had never made it to Stanage Bay and while our original purpose had passed, the goal was still there and unachieved: to see the land the military had begun using for military training, to explore the pristine coastline used for amphibious landing practice, to document the militarised country… A trip to the beach. A contested space.

Continue reading “Returning to Stanage” →

In 1998, thousands of people from around the world made their way to Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory to support the Mirarr people in their fight to stop a uranium mine at Jabiluka. The eight months of the protest camp saw busloads from the cities arrive to learn, share and take creative and daring action. Ensuing political, economic and legal action driven by the tireless campaigning of the Mirarr people brought international attention and condemnation to the project. Years of dedication and hard work paid off: the mine was stopped!

Continue reading “Jabiluka Blockade – 20 Years On” →