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
Of the lessons learnt other countries who are either winding back nuclear power stations development or abandoning them owing to the risks involved and the exceedingly high costs
Too expensive. Will take too long. Let’s focus on renewables and move away from coal asap.
I want Australia to be nuclear free because we have enough wind, sun and space to use renewable energy without utility nuclear which comes with clear risks length and cost to build, with the need to dispose safely of waste ( which takes hundreds of years to become safe). No nuclear energy for Australia.
In order to obtain uranium massive areas are mined. The stockpiles of ore are massive. Is there a safe way to process the stockpiles so they do not present a hazard to the environment.
It is a pointless waste of money and resources to pursue nuclear power. Renewable energy is the way of the future.
We have lived with 4 power stations and 3 massive coal mines now we are offered the most appalling of all. Those for nuclear seem happy for us to continue to be the victims of the effects and dangers whilst it’s “not in our backyards” for most of them. This also impinges on all those who in good faith have solar which will also be a victim of nuclear. I don’t want my family friends and community to have to live in the shadows of this threat – no nuclear for us.
An appalling idea – too dangerous and too costly.
It you can not safely dispose of the waste then nuclear is not welcome.
Nuclear as an energy option for Australia is irrational: the most expensive option for implementation and maintenance ( where do you plan to put the waste- I vote downtown Brisbane); and commits the next umpteen generations to the potential catastrophic results from radioactive use and storage mistakes, disaster and misuse.
This is a shortsighted option. It is not a well thought out solution.
I am a mother and grandmother and I want Australia and the world to be a better, cleaner and safer one than it is currently, now.
I do not want a nuclear reactor iny State and neither do I want spent rods dumped in my state.
3 Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima for starters
Nuclear power uses a lot of clean fresh water which is a precious commodity we don’t have enough of in Australia and we don’t have the technology to dispose of the waste. If we are happy to polite our country & the earth we may as well conti ue with coal fired power
In a country prone to natural disasters we don’t need a nuclear disaster to pollute the country.we need a cleaner world if we are to have anything to pass on to our children & grandchikdren
Renewables are the only sensible option for Australia. With clever and cooperative thinking a way will be worked out to give energy to all Australia using renewables.
Nuclear energy is too risky
I want Australia to be nuclear free. We need to move away from toxic, expensive, environmental ravaging systems. Solar, wind, and water we have in an abundance. STOP NUCLEAR POWER NOW!
It makes no real sense to turn away from renewables and embrace nuclear at this critical time as our planet is warming at a faster rate than predicted toward a 3deg no turning back trajectory. It will take at least 20 years to build just one reactor, so that 2045-50, we cannot wait that long.!, it’s become like changing horses midstream only far far worse. Then we have to deal with the waist which, I’m presuming will be buried on First Nations land for another 60,000years. The cost is really, immeasurably.
We live on one of the driest continents and expect to build 6 reactors, on disused coal mine sites, requiring massive amounts of constant cooling water, an exceptionally precious commodity in Australia. These mines do not have that quantity of cooling water. It’s not possible to pipe it from the coast as distance has always been our nemesis in lager scale projects. Take high speed trains for example. This madness, the NLP has no realistic thinking except wild fantasies.