It’s now time for Australia to have sensible conversation about nuclear power benefits

The nation needs to look at a wide range of energy options, writes Wendy Askew

Hearing the word “nuclear” often triggers a fear response. Whether thoughts jump to the global impact of Chernobyl, or mass destruction triggered by nuclear weapons in the wrong hands, nuclear can be a divisive word.

History shows us the perils of playing with such power. If things go wrong, the toll on the surrounding regions and environment is devastating. Chernobyl is one of the most high-profile nuclear disasters in history, with the city’s exclusion zone likely to be radioactive for at least 3000 years. That is a chilling statistic.

Considering its reputation and associated risks, it is understandable people may be reluctant to consider nuclear energy as an option for Australia. However, Australia’s east coast has enjoyed the benefits of a very successful nuclear reactor program at Lucas Heights in southern Sydney.

Opened in 2007, OPAL is one of a small number of reactors with the capacity to produce commercial quantities of radioisotopes. This capacity, combined with the open pool design, the use of low enriched uranium fuel and the wide range of applications, places OPAL among the best research reactors in the world. OPAL is used by members of the scientific, medical, environmental, and industrial communities, as well as Australian universities.

This highly successful research reactor and the potential it holds is just one example of the benefits of nuclear technology and the Coalition believes it’s time to have a national conversation about nuclear technology and what it could mean for Tasmania – and Australia’s – future.

Tasmanians are often ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting innovative technologies. Our state has been insulated from the worst of the current energy crisis due to the ingenuity of our forebears’ investment in hydro power.

Despite this insulation, our participation in the National Energy Market has left Tasmania vulnerable to the market’s price volatility, which has been influenced by the war in Ukraine and spiralling gas prices. Electricity prices are skyrocketing, and they are likely to continue to rise by another 56 per cent over coming months.

Australia’s economy relies on a constant supply of low-cost, reliable energy, and the cleaner the better. Nuclear energy is not new, and it is a reliable and cost-effective technology. The advanced, modern day nuclear technology is available right now, and it could help futureproof our energy needs, drive down prices and assist with the rapid decarbonisation of the industry.

While the country scrambles to look for the best renewable options, there is merit in investigating and investing in a range of options so we’re not relying on just one or two solutions.

Shadow minister for climate change and energy, Ted O’Brien launched the It’s Time to Talk Nuclear community engagement campaign and survey this week. This grassroots community survey will start what I hope will be a mature and thoughtful discussion on nuclear energy to help us decide if it is worth pursuing as an option for the future.

Tasmanians have skin in the game for this discussion – the ambitious Marinus Link project is a crucial plank in transitioning the country to renewable energy. This project will see Tasmania become a battery, allowing us to increase our already extensive investments in renewable energy (hydro, wind and solar) and continue to produce more energy than we need.

Excess energy will be transferred via the Marinus Link cable (and vice versa) to the energy-strapped mainland states and reduce their reliance on gas or coal-fired power plants.

If Tasmania is to be the “Battery of the Nation”, now is the perfect time to start a discussion about the mix of renewable energy options to support this project. And nuclear is an option that deserves to be considered in that discussion. Tasmanians deserve to have their say on this idea and give their thoughts about whether we should back this technology or not.

Nuclear energy has been used around the world for decades. It is reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. France is delivering on its climate targets, while providing citizens with lowcost, reliable and clean energy, with more than 75 per cent of French electricity derived from nuclear power. The UK plan to triple the size of its nuclear generation by 2050, with nuclear making up 25 per cent of its energy mix.

The Coalition is not pushing nuclear as a definitive solution to Australia’s energy crisis, but it is a topic we should discuss rather than dismissing the idea out of hand. Our first step is to gather the thoughts of Australians, and I encourage you to join the conversation and take the survey.

It’s time to have a sensible, not sensationalist, conversation about nuclear power.

Find out more at timetotalknuclear.com.au.