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
I want Australia to be nuclear-free , because not only is it dangerous, but it’s also completely unnecessary, way too expensive and too far into the future for us to reach the 2030 target.
Tina Morrison
Nuclear is not the answer to Australia’s future energy needs. It is by far too expensive requiring the tax payer to finance as no sensible investor would support it. It commits future generations to pay for managing the highly toxic waste products. In the event of an accident large areas of the country side would become toxic exclusion zones.
Our best solution for nuclear is to use the energy from the sun, a nuclear reaction in the sky.
I can’t believe I’m HAVING to sign such a petition. Dutton’s delusion/disingenuousness (take your pick, they’re both dangerous) will have us on the rocks. Appalling!
I want Australia to be nuclear free because its dangerous. I have lived near a nuclear plant (Sellafeild on the north-west coast of UK) that had a leak and closed the beach for weeks while men in white suits checked for daily radiation leaks. I have also had friends with children getting childhood cancers above the average rate just because they were near or had jobs in a nuclear plant. What is wrong with renewable energy for our future and our children futures and beyond? Have you even asked the people in the locations mentioned if they want a nuclear plant by them? And where will the nuclear waste go for ever??
Nuclear power is too risky and much more expensive than the alternatives according to the CSIRO. Offshore wind energy is reliable, dispatchable and will be privately financed. Let’s do it!
I want Australia to be nuclear free because of the dangers associated with plant if a natural disaster occurs and concerns with waste product storage
I want to leave a safe country for my grandchildren and beyond.
I want to be nuclear free because we have an abundance of safe, clean energy sources. It is madness to introduce nuclear power after seeing the horrendous impacts of Chernobyl, Five Mile Island, and Fukushima.
Nuclear power is not safe. There is nowhere to safely store the radioactive waste.
I don’t want nuclear ANYTHING in Australia because we don’t need the waste, or the risk. Have we learned nothing from Chernobyl and Fukashima ?
Renewables employ more people and supply much cheaper power
Nuclear power is costly, it is dangerous, dumping nuclear waste is polluting & dangerous, it is NOT NEEDED & we don’t want it.