Australia must remain a nuclear-free country.
Nuclear energy and arms are not compatible with a clean future.
The Coalition's nuclear energy plan is light on detail but heavy with danger. 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 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. Promoting nuclear today will keep coal and gas burning for decades to come!
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
Its too expensive, too slow and too dangerous. Remember Fukushima!
Investing now in renewables makes far more sense.
If you don’t know: say no
SA had a Citizen’s Jury that rejected a nuclear future.
The state agreed to abide by that decision.
The Liberal policy would go against what the people decided.
Around the world renewables and storage are the direction, not nuclear. We have been able to do without it thus far and no-one will want it in their backyard. There will always be the risk of catastrophic events from it and the waste will be here way beyond when we are all gone, but Dutton doesn’t care about that hey.
Mining is destructive to the environment, too many generations of people are going to be left to manage the nuclear waste. There is a risk to all life if an environmental disaster should seriously damage a reactor. A reactor relies on skilled management; an obligation to future generations, who, one day, might have no need of nuclear power due to other energy sources. In short, too much short term gain for long term pain.
I want a nuclear free future as it is not sustainable. My area has been the whipping ground of heavy industry forever. It is a beautiful and amazing area. Let’s not ruin it anymore.
I do not want Australia to pursue nuclear power because it is too dangerous for our environment and people. I want Australia to tackle climate change by using clean energy from the sun and wind in the future. Thank you Jen
I want Australia to be nuclear free becauseit is high-risk, high-cost and a dangerous distraction from real climate solutions, like clean energy from the sun and wind;
Nuclear power is not a viable option for Australia. This is just another distraction that will result in further delays in our transition to a more sustainable future
I want australia to remain nuclear free because its a huge hazard
I want Australia to be nuclear free because there is NO PLANET B!