The debate around nuclear power in Australia isn't just political. There's also a generational divide
11 months, 4 weeks ago

The debate around nuclear power in Australia isn't just political. There's also a generational divide

ABC  

Driving her trusty red Camry, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "Australian Nuclear Free Alliance", Aunty Sue Haseldine is on a cross-country mission. Tony Wood is the Grattan Institute's energy director and agrees that right now, the economics for nuclear power "are terrible". "Personally, I think Australia should have a grown-up discussion around the role of nuclear and I don't think the ban helps that," he says. "The United States, Japan and Ukraine are signatories to the pledge that was made at COP28 to triple our global nuclear energy capacity by 2050," she says. "For me, the case to use nuclear energy is actually a moral case because it is an environmentally low-impact way to decarbonise," Dr Obbard says.

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History of this topic

The devil in the detail of Dutton's nuclear costings
3 months, 2 weeks ago

The devil in the detail of Dutton's nuclear costings

ABC  

Peter Dutton has released the cost of his nuclear power plan. Coalition assumes less electricity, higher emissions First, the Coalition's $331 billion costing also assumes we will consume much less energy than it assumes under the Labor scenario. Coalition says nuclear option cheaper than renewables Photo shows Nuclear cooling towers Peter Dutton is today revealing long-awaited details of his nuclear …

CSIRO's new GenCost report warns against nuclear power for Australia
3 months, 3 weeks ago

CSIRO's new GenCost report warns against nuclear power for Australia

Daily Mail  

A new report from the CSIRO has found nuclear energy does not stack up for Australia even after considering new parameters, with large-scale solar and big batteries still the lowest-cost option. In an official update released on Monday, as the federal opposition prepares to release its costings, Australia's leading science agency warns taxpayers will need deep pockets and a lead …

The debate over Australia’s energy future
3 months, 3 weeks ago

The debate over Australia’s energy future

ABC  

SARAH FERGUSON, PRESENTER: Science is telling us bluntly - the earth is warming, with consequences in almost every domain of the way our lives are lived. SARAH FERGUSON: Let's come to that because I'm sure Ted O'Brien thinks they are arguable. SARAH FERGUSON: We'll get to that in a moment but let me just come back to you, Chris, on …

Labor set up an inquiry to derail public support for Dutton's nuclear ambitions. Some now wonder whether it's backfiring
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Labor set up an inquiry to derail public support for Dutton's nuclear ambitions. Some now wonder whether it's backfiring

ABC  

The Coalition's most vociferous nuclear convert has made the most of his position on a Labor-dominated committee investigating Australia's energy future. The public is no closer to learning how much the Coalition's nuclear plan would cost, when it would have any impact on their ever-increasing power bills or whether they'd be built in time to replace the coal-fired power stations …

Peter Dutton cops backlash over push to build seven nuclear power stations in Australia
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Peter Dutton cops backlash over push to build seven nuclear power stations in Australia

Daily Mail  

Aussies have hit back at plans to build nuclear power stations in the country as the Coalition ramps up its push to establish seven sites as part of its election promise. Wendy Farmer president of community group Voices of the Valley told a Parliamentary committee meeting in her area that 'Australia doesn't need nuclear power' The Loy Yang coal plant …

Pushing nuclear power in Queensland would be 'hugely messy' for a future Dutton government, constitutional law experts say
5 months ago

Pushing nuclear power in Queensland would be 'hugely messy' for a future Dutton government, constitutional law experts say

ABC  

A clear line in the sand divides Queensland's new Liberal National government from the federal Coalition on the topic of nuclear power. On Sunday, just hours after the LNP's state election victory, federal Nationals leader David Littleproud said he expected Queensland to fall into line on nuclear power if the Coalition wins the next federal election. Constitutional law experts say …

Should Australia embrace nuclear energy? Peter Dutton to unveil bold power plan today
6 months, 1 week ago

Should Australia embrace nuclear energy? Peter Dutton to unveil bold power plan today

Daily Mail  

The Coaltion's push to build nuclear power plants around Australia will be fleshed out on Monday when Peter Dutton reveals more about the proposed seven sites across five states. Mr Dutton's will address the Committee for Economic Development of Australia about the nuclear energy plan which is set to become a pivotal issue in the next election campaign. Mr Dutton …

Australia’s Liberals Go Nuclear
8 months, 1 week ago

Australia’s Liberals Go Nuclear

The Diplomat  

Energy remains a central issue in Australian politics. While the Liberal Party is currently framing the proposal as one tied to Australia’s energy security, and as a way to meet Australia’s emissions targets, the impetus for the nuclear power plants is the AUKUS agreement for the U.S. and U.K. to supply Australia with eight new nuclear-powered submarines. While increasing Australia’s …

What Australia can learn from Canada's nuclear power industry
8 months, 1 week ago

What Australia can learn from Canada's nuclear power industry

ABC  

Nuclear energy is used by more than 30 countries to supply power to populations, with nations like Canada employing the technology since the 1960s. Here in Australia, the Coalition's recently revealed nuclear plan would see nuclear power stations built on seven retired or retiring coal fired power stations in five states across Australia, with both large-scale plants and SMRs under …

In Australia, energy crunch prompts a heated debate on going nuclear
8 months, 3 weeks ago

In Australia, energy crunch prompts a heated debate on going nuclear

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s opposition leader has proposed building the country’s first nuclear plants, but many are unconvinced. The facility, set in hilly, drought-prone grazing country, is one of seven sites where conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton plans to build Australia’s first nuclear energy power stations should his Liberal and National Party coalition win next year’s federal election. Under the current government’s plans, …

What is nuclear energy and how does it work?
9 months ago

What is nuclear energy and how does it work?

ABC  

In June, the Coalition released the locations and timelines of proposed nuclear power plant sites, as part of its telegraphed stance on moving Australia towards nuclear as an energy source. "The heat to drive a nuclear power station comes from breaking up uranium atoms in the core of the reactor … then that hot nuclear fuel is used to boil …

Peter Dutton's nuclear power plan is a hit and miss proposal for Australia's young people
9 months ago

Peter Dutton's nuclear power plan is a hit and miss proposal for Australia's young people

ABC  

Liliah Dolbel, 17, is "a bit scared" about the idea of Australia producing nuclear power. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has proposed nuclear power as an alternative to renewables, saying it would be a smoother transition as reactors could be built at existing coal power stations. Honorary Associate Professor Tony Irwin, from the Australian National University, operated nuclear power plants in …

Nuclear could fill a niche in Australia's energy mix, but renewables will need to do the heavy lifting, business leaders say
9 months, 1 week ago

Nuclear could fill a niche in Australia's energy mix, but renewables will need to do the heavy lifting, business leaders say

ABC  

In short: Even if Australia's nuclear ban is overturned, energy sector leaders believe renewables will generate most of Australia's power in the future. Even if Australia's nuclear ban is overturned, energy sector leaders believe renewables will generate most of Australia's power in the future. Renewables will continue to do the heavy lifting for Australia's decarbonisation and energy generation, but some …

What happens to nuclear waste under Peter Dutton's Coalition plan to build seven nuclear power reactors?
9 months, 1 week ago

What happens to nuclear waste under Peter Dutton's Coalition plan to build seven nuclear power reactors?

ABC  

In short: Debate on Australia's nuclear future will need to include clear information on the transportation and storage of nuclear waste. Australia currently produces a relatively small amount of radioactive waste due to its limited nuclear industry, with just one reactor used for research and medical purposes, located at Lucas Heights in Sydney. Peter Dutton in announcing the Coalition's nuclear …

Peter Dutton's nuclear power policy is about to go through an early stress test
9 months, 1 week ago

Peter Dutton's nuclear power policy is about to go through an early stress test

ABC  

No-one doubts Peter Dutton has a huge task to sell his radical nuclear plan, with many experts throwing buckets of cold water over it. Ziggy Switkowski, who headed John Howard's 2006 nuclear inquiry that reported favourably on the potential for nuclear energy in Australia, described Dutton as "a person of conviction" and said his blueprint was feasible. Peter Dutton and …

Australian opposition puts nation’s first nuclear power plants in its energy plan ahead of elections
9 months, 1 week ago

Australian opposition puts nation’s first nuclear power plants in its energy plan ahead of elections

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s main opposition party on Wednesday announced plans to build Australia’s first nuclear power plants as early as 2035, arguing the government’s policies for decarbonizing the economy with renewable energy sources including solar, wind turbines and green hydrogen would not work. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen accused the conservative opposition Liberal Party of serving Australia’s …

Peter Dutton's nuclear energy plan for Australia is never going to happen - but it will still dominate the election, writes PETER VAN ONSELEN
9 months, 1 week ago

Peter Dutton's nuclear energy plan for Australia is never going to happen - but it will still dominate the election, writes PETER VAN ONSELEN

Daily Mail  

The great nuclear debate can now begin in earnest. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced his plans to campaign for introducing nuclear power into Australia's energy mix at the next election. Even though the fact there is virtually no chance of Dutton's nuclear policy going live - because of the hurdles he has to overcome but can't - should reduce …

Nuclear proposal rejected by premiers, who say Dutton has no power to lift state nuclear bans
9 months, 1 week ago

Nuclear proposal rejected by premiers, who say Dutton has no power to lift state nuclear bans

ABC  

In short: State premiers have unanimously rejected the federal Coalition's nuclear proposal, which would require lifting several state bans State premiers have unanimously rejected the federal Coalition's nuclear proposal, which would require lifting several state bans Some state Liberal and National members have also distanced themselves from nuclear, though the NSW opposition is open to the idea What's next? NSW …

The Coalition's nuclear power plan misses one key component: the cost
9 months, 1 week ago

The Coalition's nuclear power plan misses one key component: the cost

ABC  

Whichever way you slice it, two major parties are taking a big gamble on the future. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has sought to directly link power price rises with the rollout of renewables, but building a fleet of nuclear power plants, from scratch, certainly won't come cheap either. The CSIRO has crunched the numbers and estimates building a large-scale nuclear …

Why has the Coalition gone nuclear? The facts you need to navigate the energy debate
9 months, 1 week ago

Why has the Coalition gone nuclear? The facts you need to navigate the energy debate

ABC  

Teased and speculated for more than two years, Peter Dutton has finally revealed his nuclear power policy. Dutton reveals seven sites for proposed nuclear power plants Photo shows Seven Nuclear sites v.2 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told his Coalition colleagues he will go to the next election promising to build seven nuclear power stations. Peter Dutton and Nationals leader …

Peter Dutton is a true believer in nuclear as the answer to Australia's energy problems. But he'll need to convince the voting public
9 months, 1 week ago

Peter Dutton is a true believer in nuclear as the answer to Australia's energy problems. But he'll need to convince the voting public

ABC  

There's a great story from Kelvin McKenzie's stint as editor of Britain's The Sun newspaper, notorious for its salacious headlines and outrageous beat-ups. Dutton's nuclear stance may not play well with women Photo shows A side profile close up of Peter Dutton. Peter Dutton's political survival as an opposition leader thus far is an impressive feat, but the issue of …

Does nuclear power have a future in Australia? These numbers will help cut through the debate
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Does nuclear power have a future in Australia? These numbers will help cut through the debate

ABC  

As the shift away from fossil fuels gathers pace, the Coalition has turned to an emissions-free technology that has a long and contentious history — nuclear fission. "We did a lot of work to determine what nuclear power would cost in Australia," Paul Graham, the chief economist of the CSIRO's energy business unit, said. But he said that even taking …

Why big business would rather send uranium offshore than build nuclear plants in Australia
1 year ago

Why big business would rather send uranium offshore than build nuclear plants in Australia

ABC  

Cast your mind back, not into the dim, dark recesses of your memory but just a little, to shortly after we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Expensive uranium won't generate cheap electricity For the past month or more, the argument rejecting nuclear energy has overwhelmingly been about cost and to a lesser extent the time involved in building large-scale nuclear …

Nuclear power in Australia — a silver bullet or white elephant?
1 year ago

Nuclear power in Australia — a silver bullet or white elephant?

ABC  

"It's time to talk nuclear," Ted O'Brien declared in a video message filmed on an isolated beach last February. Appointed shadow energy spokesperson a few months earlier, Mr O'Brien's enthusiasm for nuclear power was already well known, but not yet fully formed as Coalition policy. A year on, nuclear energy for Australia has firmed as Coalition policy, and Mr O'Brien's …

Nuclear energy's six biggest myths busted as Australia seriously considers making the change - and why coal isn't necessarily the safe option
1 year ago

Nuclear energy's six biggest myths busted as Australia seriously considers making the change - and why coal isn't necessarily the safe option

Daily Mail  

The fear of a scare campaign against nuclear energy has prompted one Coalition MP to debunk some myths about nuclear reactors - and warn even coal plants can be potentially dangerous. The prospect of a nuclear energy scare campaign has prompted a Coalition MP to debunk some myths about nuclear reactors and point out coal plants are also potentially dangerous …

Government dismisses Coalition's 10-year nuclear claim as a 'dream'
1 year ago

Government dismisses Coalition's 10-year nuclear claim as a 'dream'

ABC  

The energy minister has rubbished his shadow counterpart's claims Australia could have nuclear power plants up and running in 10 years as the Coalition prepares to announce the nuclear plan it will take to the next election. Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O'Brien said on Sunday morning Australia could have a nuclear power plant up in that …

Coalition's plan to go nuclear puts five regions on the table as favoured locations for nuclear reactors
1 year ago

Coalition's plan to go nuclear puts five regions on the table as favoured locations for nuclear reactors

ABC  

There are just a handful of regions in Australia shaping up as the most likely candidates for the Coalition's proposal to install nuclear reactors in Australia, as the party eyes retiring coal stations as a way to go nuclear. Speaking on Channel Seven on Tuesday morning, Mr Dutton confirmed the party was "interested" in replacing retiring coal plants with nuclear …

Australia inches closer to 2030 emissions target, amid debate over renewable energy push
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia inches closer to 2030 emissions target, amid debate over renewable energy push

ABC  

The government says Australia is on its way to hitting its 2030 climate targets as it faces criticism from conservation groups for support of fossil fuels. Key points: Australia is on track for a 42 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, according to new government data The government announced a renewable energy scheme this week, targeting 82 per cent …

The Coalition's likely embrace of nuclear energy is high-risk politics
1 year, 7 months ago

The Coalition's likely embrace of nuclear energy is high-risk politics

ABC  

Crazy brave, or just crazy? It's a "no surprises" tactic – but one that has allowed the government, especially Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, to regularly attack and ridicule the idea. This week opposition climate change and energy spokesman Ted O'Brien was spruiking nuclear power, writing in The Australian about the US state of Wyoming's plans for a coal-to-nuclear transition. …

Australians want nuclear power but the Greens will never let it happen
2 years, 9 months ago

Australians want nuclear power but the Greens will never let it happen

Daily Mail  

Most Australians want a nuclear power industry to reduce emissions by scrapping coal-fired plants, but it's unlikely to happen because politicians don't agree. A poll found 53 per cent in Australians support 'building nuclear power plants to supply electricity and reduce emissions' and only 23 pre cent opposed. Australians want to explore the option of nuclear power plants to help …

Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine deal is fueling anger in the country. Here’s why
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine deal is fueling anger in the country. Here’s why

CNN  

CNN — The US and UK will be sharing technology and expertise with Australia to help it build nuclear-powered submarines as part of a newly-announced defense pact between the three countries. In 1977, the Movement Against Uranium Mining in Australia collected 250,000 signatures for a moratorium on extracting the metal, even though nuclear power wasn’t being used in the country. …

Nuclear power not the answer as renewables continue to boom in Australia, report finds
5 years, 7 months ago

Nuclear power not the answer as renewables continue to boom in Australia, report finds

ABC  

Australia's continuing renewable energy boom means the development of nuclear power is not a viable option, a new report from public policy think-tank the Australia Institute has concluded. Key points: The Australia Institute's energy emissions audit for the month July was released today It found SA's renewable energy generation is setting a "real example" for other states It also found …

Nuclear power in Australia to be examined by multi-party parliamentary inquiry
5 years, 7 months ago

Nuclear power in Australia to be examined by multi-party parliamentary inquiry

ABC  

The potential for nuclear power in Australia is set to be examined by a parliamentary inquiry, requested by Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Key points: Angus Taylor has asked for the first inquiry into nuclear power in over a decade The committee will consider waste management, transport and storage and security implications The inquiry is expected to be finished by …

SA power cuts: Nuclear energy should be considered as solution, state Liberals say
8 years, 1 month ago

SA power cuts: Nuclear energy should be considered as solution, state Liberals say

ABC  

Despite opposing a high-level nuclear waste dump in South Australia, state Liberal leader Steven Marshall is now proposing nuclear power as a potential solution to the state's energy reliability issues. A citizens' jury rejected high-level nuclear waste storage in November, prompting Mr Marshall to declare plans of "turning South Australia into a nuclear waste dump" were "now dead". "The royal …

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