Dr Sam McMahon

13/05/2024

I wonder how happy my fellow Katherine ratepayers are about the Katherine Town Council spending their funds on signs along the Federal highway.

29/04/2024

I wonder how much Territory taxpayer dollars have been given to failed USA company Bonza.

29/04/2024

This is fantastic news for this amazing Territory organisation. I had the pleasure of taking the former PM, Scott Morrison to the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre to see the enormous value in the work that they do. I am very pleased that this Government has followed up with increased funding.

25/04/2024

Lest we forget.

24/04/2024

American figures but the same applies here.

24/04/2024

Well done Coles, and shame on you (again), Woolworths.
Don't shop at Woolies if you can help it.

10/04/2024

The Federal Senate Inquiry in to the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct is on today and tomorrow in Darwin.
This is a public inquiry and any one interested is able to attend. Information and programs can be found here https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/MiddleArm/Public_Hearings

The program tomorrow has a heavy smattering of anti-fracking nuts and previously disgraced organisations so expect some fanciful and outrageous claims.
The following is the Terms of Reference.
The Middle Arm Industrial Precinct, with particular reference to:

(a) the development of Darwin’s Middle Arm Industrial Precinct, the role and funding intentions of the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments;
(b) the likely and intended future uses of the site as well as the industries and supply chains that would benefit from those plans;
(c) any climate, environmental, health or cultural heritage impacts as a result of developing the harbour and the industries seeking to establish themselves at Middle Arm;
(d) the conduct, process and implications of the proposed strategic environmental assessment for Middle Arm;
(e) engagement and advocacy by industries and their representatives throughout the Middle Arm proposal, including with First Nations groups and communities adherence to the principles of free, prior and informed consent; and
(f) any other related matters.

Public Hearings

07/04/2024

How excellent that our new Governor General appears to have anti-Australia and anti-Australia Day sentiments.

04/04/2024

Have a listen to Minister Bowen spruiking in a press conference about how he opened new EV charging stations in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs recently, allowing drivers to travel around Australia.
Two problems with that Minister.
1. The stations in Katherine still don't work weeks later, they're expensive car park decorations.
2. There are hardly any EV,s on the road that can actually make the distance from Katherine to Tennant Creek, most will pull up around Elliott.

31/03/2024

Happy Easter Sunday with some images of The Last Supper and Pieta in Milan.

31/03/2024

People around the Top End and Alice Springs, if you're making a trip to Bunnings, grab a sausage or cold drink to support a local community group.

31/03/2024

Happy Easter to all. However you celebrate and whatever you are doing, have a great time and stay safe.

31/03/2024

We could do this too. No ra**ng of the land, destroying farms, tearing down native forests for wind, solar and transmission lines.

5 things you should know about repowering coal plants 🏭 with nuclear power ⚛️.

1️⃣ The majority of U.S. coal plants could be converted

A 2022 DOE report found that more than 300 existing and retired coal power plant sites are suitable to host advanced nuclear power plants.

Each plant could match the size of the site being converted and help increase nuclear capacity by more than 250 GW—nearly tripling its current capacity of 95 GW.

2️⃣ They could preserve and create new jobs

Employment in the region associated with an incoming nuclear plant could increase by more than 650 permanent jobs spread across the plant, supply chain, and surrounding community.

Occupations seeing the largest gains include nuclear engineers, security guards, and nuclear technicians.

The plants could also leverage the existing coal plant workforce in the community to help transition their current skills and knowledge to work in nuclear energy with wages that are typically 50% higher than those of other energy sources.

3️⃣ They could drive economic growth

Long-term job impacts of a converted coal to nuclear power plant could lead to additional annual economic activity of $275 million.

This includes a 92% increase in tax revenue from the new nuclear plant for the local county when compared to prior tax revenue from a coal plant.

These tax payments would also increase the amount of money available to improve local schools, infrastructure projects, and public services.

4️⃣ They bring environmental benefits

Replacing unabated coal plants with nuclear power plants could see up to an 86% drop in carbon dioxide emissions in the surrounding region.

It would also directly improve the air quality in the region by avoiding other harmful byproducts produced by fossil fuel plants that are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and heart diseases.

5️⃣ They can save on new construction costs

New nuclear power plants could save up to 35% on construction costs depending on how much of the existing site assets could be repurposed from retired coal power plants.

These assets include the existing land, the coal plant’s electrical equipment (transmission connection, switchyard, etc.) and civil infrastructure, such as roads and buildings.

Want to learn more?

Check out three more facts about coal-to-nuclear transitions here: https://bit.ly/49Q6ZTA

29/03/2024

Good Friday service at my church, NT Field and Game.

24/03/2024

Small Modular Reactors are our carbon free energy future but we can't even talk about that.

X-energy has opened its first training centre for future operators of its Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors - it includes a full-scale plant control room simulator, Reactor Protection System prototype, and virtual reality experience as well as offices and classrooms:
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/X-energy-opens-first-training-centre-for-SMR-opera

24/03/2024

This should be us.

The South Texas Project Electric Generating Station has two TEXAS-SIZED units that produce carbon-free power to 2 million homes. STP is one of the largest nuclear power facilities in the nation and employs around 1,200 employees.

H/T: STP Nuclear Operating Company

17/03/2024

Indonesian news outlets are reporting that Airnorth will be flying from Darwin to Lombok this year. Would be great for tourism and trade if true.

The Lombok-Australia international flight route is targeted to operate in 2024.

16/03/2024

If you're in Darwin today please come along 4pm at the Jingili Water Gardens to show support and respect for the family of Declan Laverty.

16/03/2024

Defund the Environmental Defenders Office, NOW!

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he would end funding to the Environmental Defenders Office if the Coalition wins government at the next federal election, accusing the group of engaging in unethical "lawfare" that frustrates mining and energy projects.

08/03/2024

This is very applicable to Australia as well, we should be planning for this now!

5 things you should know about repowering coal plants 🏭 with nuclear power ⚛️.

1️⃣ The majority of U.S. coal plants could be converted

A 2022 DOE report found that more than 300 existing and retired coal power plant sites are suitable to host advanced nuclear power plants.

Each plant could match the size of the site being converted and help increase nuclear capacity by more than 250 GW—nearly tripling its current capacity of 95 GW.

2️⃣ They could preserve and create new jobs

Employment in the region associated with an incoming nuclear plant could increase by more than 650 permanent jobs spread across the plant, supply chain, and surrounding community.

Occupations seeing the largest gains include nuclear engineers, security guards, and nuclear technicians.

The plants could also leverage the existing coal plant workforce in the community to help transition their current skills and knowledge to work in nuclear energy with wages that are typically 50% higher than those of other energy sources.

3️⃣ They could drive economic growth

Long-term job impacts of a converted coal to nuclear power plant could lead to additional annual economic activity of $275 million.

This includes a 92% increase in tax revenue from the new nuclear plant for the local county when compared to prior tax revenue from a coal plant.

These tax payments would also increase the amount of money available to improve local schools, infrastructure projects, and public services.

4️⃣ They bring environmental benefits

Replacing unabated coal plants with nuclear power plants could see up to an 86% drop in carbon dioxide emissions in the surrounding region.

It would also directly improve the air quality in the region by avoiding other harmful byproducts produced by fossil fuel plants that are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and heart diseases.

5️⃣ They can save on new construction costs

New nuclear power plants could save up to 35% on construction costs depending on how much of the existing site assets could be repurposed from retired coal power plants.

These assets include the existing land, the coal plant’s electrical equipment (transmission connection, switchyard, etc.) and civil infrastructure, such as roads and buildings.

Want to learn more?

Check out three more facts about coal-to-nuclear transitions here: https://bit.ly/49Q6ZTA

07/03/2024

My heartfelt thoughts go out today to my former colleague Joel Fitzgibbon, his family, friends, colleagues and those of his son Jack, tragically killed in an ADF training exercise.
This is a reminder that our ADF members put their lives on the line for us every day, not just during combat situations.

Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, the son of former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, dies after being injured in a parachuting incident at the Richmond RAAF base on Wednesday night.

07/03/2024

Nothing excuses Brent Potter MLA - Member for Fannie Bay for recently exposed social media posts. The CLP needs to tread very carefully though, having recently been exposed for holding extremely racist views themselves.

The Country Liberal Party are reportedly considering a proposal to use "hooded cane masters" to curb Northern Territory's crime rates.

07/03/2024

Great initiative by Virgin Australia. I've flown on many flights overseas where pets are in the cabin. They have all been incredibly quiet, well behaved and polite, can't say the same for most peoples kids.

Good thing 'who let the dogs out?' is one of our favourite songs, otherwise we'd never have found a suitable headline.

02/03/2024

Pity we can't do this.

CONNECTED⚡️ Georgia Power announces Unit 4 at Plant Vogtle connected to the grid for the first time. 👏

Connecting to the grid is part of ongoing startup testing and brings us one step closer to welcoming the reactor into operation.

Learn more: https://www.georgiapower.com/company/news-center/2024-articles/vogtle-unit-4-connects-to-electric-grid-for-the-first-time.html

02/03/2024

Whilst in Canberra, I managed to catch up with my good mate from NSW Farmers, Ash Cooper.

27/02/2024

Today I caught up with Marion Scrymgour MP in her Canberra office. Marion recently grabbed national headlines when she stood up to Territory Labor on the pressing issue of youth crime.

26/02/2024

One of the things I've always loved about the Territory is our multicultural, tolerant, take a person as they are attitude. It saddens me to see this anti-semitic rubbish in Alice Springs.
You can support Palestine without being a racist.

26/02/2024

It was lovely to catch up with one of my former colleagues, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory at Parliament House today.

26/02/2024

Well done to Alice Springs based Marion Scrymgour MP for risking the ire of NT Labor with some straight talking.

Labor MP Marion Scrymgour has hit out at her own party by criticising the NT government over its handling of youth crime.