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
Australia must remain nuclear free because there have been too many accidents overseas with nuclear where too many people have been subjected to radiation and other damage done by this incredibly expense and unneeded technology. Besides we will be left with nuclear waste that can be a danger to us all for centuries.
I want renewables instead.
Nuclear is madness, end of.
I want Australia to be nuclear free because it is dangerous form of energy production. Accidents do happen. CSIRO have done costing and it is not cheaper to generate electricity. Dutton is very power hungry and will sacrifice people over his ambitions.
NUCLEAR FREE PLEASE.
As if politicians aren’t already aware…let’s be absolutely clear.
Nuclear power creates deadly waste which cannot be destroyed.
Remember the history. There is no guarantee regarding safety.
Nuclear is dirty, has inherent risk factors, and is much more expensive than renewables.
Renewables tick all the boxes. Nuclear…zero!
It is a no brainer!
Stay healthy,
Mitch Hammet
The Gap 4061
Nuclear is NOT the forward
It’s not needed and nobody ever gives a satisfactory exlpanation of how the waste will be managed.
Nuclear energy is too expensive, uses too much water, the reactors take too long to build, the radioactive waste is very dangerous and it is all too risky.
It will delay de-carbonisation of the grid.
When will the opposition accept that they created the current issues by being in bed with the coal industry for the last two decades. Their ‘friend’!
Renewables are the better way to go for environmental and economic reasons. We have said no to nuclear in the past and we need to keep saying it and focus all our efforts and investments in renewables for which we have an abundance.
I want Australia to be nuclear free because there are more effective climate solutions which are immediately scalable, and not an excuse for Dutton to keep pandering to fossil fuel and gas companies for decades to come. Further, nuclear has very low tolerances/margins for error and is exceptionally high risk. It also requires great expertise – skills Australia does not have.
Not only is the Cost going to be extreme. We still have to get rid of the Waste which no one Seems to be talking about. What do we do just bury it and let our children and future generations deal with the problems Down the line very short sighted Have we forgotten so quickly what happened in Japan and Russia. I can’t believe they are even Contemplating this
I want Australia to remain nuclear-free because the nuclear option is a huge user of precious water resources, any construction uses up more valuable resources, fuel needs to be extracted, trucked to sire then disposed of afterwards, and if things go wrong it’s a potential disaster. We are the luckiest country in the world for natural power sources – wind, solar, wave, etc. so nuclear if unneccessary and dangerous.