Australia must remain a nuclear-free country.
Nuclear energy and arms are not compatible with a clean future.
It's a costly distraction from effective climate action that risks delaying – and even derailing – the sensible, considered and speedy transition to renewables that is already well underway and essential to protect the environment and safeguard our future.
To our elected representatives, we call on you to make Australia nuclear-free:
- End uranium mining and exports, and clean up all old uranium mines;
- Say no to nuclear power – it is high-risk, high-cost and a dangerous distraction from real climate solutions, like clean energy from the sun and wind;
- Take a strong stand against nuclear weapons – this includes signing and ratifying the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty;
- Manage radioactive waste transparently and responsibly.
The exaggerated claims being made by the latest round of nuclear promoters do not alter the evidence which clearly shows nuclear is the worst option for Australia.
There are many reasons nuclear energy is not a viable alternative for Australia’s energy future:
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It takes too long – on average, it takes about nine years to build a nuclear power station and another 10 years for planning and licensing. Effectively that means two decades between first idea and first power. These are the critical decades to immediately reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
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It’s dirty and dangerous – Nuclear power stations pose significant community, environment and health risks. Apart from the radioactive waste they generate, nuclear power stations run on uranium which, like coal and gas, is not a renewable resource.
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It’s far more expensive than renewable options – Modelling shows developing nuclear infrastructure is 5-10 times more expensive than solar and wind. And even if the technology was in place, it would also cost more to produce.
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It needs a lot of water – Nuclear reactors use tonnes of water per second to cool the reactors to produce electricity. This is unlike wind and solar which require little or no ongoing water use.
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We have no proven options for managing long-term radioactive waste – All reactors create waste, and this is a growing and unresolved global management issue. For decades successive governments have tried to impose low and intermediate level waste dumps and stores, predominantly on First Nations lands, across multiple sites in Australia.
We must leave the uranium in the ground to keep our communities and the nature we rely on safe.
Let's get it right and make Australia nuclear-free.
Header image: Sea lions gather on the beach on the Eyre Peninsula. At the top of the Peninsula is Kimba, where the government is proposing to put a national radioactive waste site despite unanimous opposition from Barngarla Traditional Owners
Latest Supporters
Leave Uranium the ground! Nuclear power – SO last century!
Nuclear power has not resolved the waste or weapons proliferation issues
I want Australia to be nuclear free because there is no future with nuclear – no treatment, no safety – and we don’t need it
Leave Uranium in the Ground
I want Australia to be nuclear free as I don’t want to have a nuclear waste dump in Eyre Peninsula (my back yard) and not have a vote counted on this issue. I want Australia to be nuclear free because I don’t want any more uranium mines to be built in SA or WA . I want Australia to be nuclear free so children of the future don’t have to live with the fear of a nuclear war. I want Australia to be nuclear free and there is safe way to store the waste products. I want Australia to be nuclear free so that the water table is not contaminated and used up in the processing of uranium. I want Australia to be nuclear free as I stand with the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of these Nations when they say ‘Leave it in the Ground’
The cost/ benefit factor just doesnt add up.
There’s safer and more efficient ways to supply power which doesnt effect the environment. Accidents may be infrequent however when they happen its catastrophic
There are safer and less polluting alternatives for 0 carbon emissions
I want Australia to be nuclear free because it is dangerous and will be an expensive distraction from clean energy climate solutions.
nuclear free = stop mining and export of uranium + no nuclear energy + no AUKUS subs
I want Australia to be nuclear free because it is a dangerous resource that damages all who come in contact
we had this debate fully in Australia nearly 50 years ago during the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry and nukes make way less sense now than they did then Want to avoid climate action, raise the nuclear red herring
Solar and wind power are cheaper because of the transmission and distribution costs associated with nuclear power, let alone the cost of producing the power in the first place, and then there’s the waste.