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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Nuclear is an environmental disaster. All people want to do it seemes is replace the unsustainable power production of coal, with the unsustainable radio-active waste producing power production of nuclear. I truly do not understand this shift towards ‘pro-nuclear’. It pollutes the ground, the water, needs vast quantities of space and the reactors need to be placed next to major water sources and urban centers. Those complaining of ‘ugly’ clean wind power, have you seen how horrendous a nuclear power reactor looks? Belching it’s smoke right next to your favourite beach and home. We are in a climate crisis and looking to a band aid that is not long term sustainable or environmentally friendly. Austraia has uranium reserves that would line a few 1%ers pockets, is this the motivation for people? I have so little trust left in humanity, so my hope of a nuclear free future is low. I don’t want it and we’ll get what we deserve if we go down this path.
I want nuclear energy for Australia because it is the cheapest, cleanest and best
I want Australia to be nuclear free. No nuclear subs at Port Kembla.
Our lucky county has not used nuclear energy for commercial or domestic power generation.
Let’s keep Australia clean. No nuclear for Australia.
We are a pack of uneducated, feel good losers destroying our nations energy grid, our very economic viability ALL on the basis of the myth of climate change as presented. We need more than just nuclear, we need gas, hydrogen and hydro too. Just NOT Chinese slave produced solar panels wholly reliant on raping the earth for rare and finite minerals solely for profit.
We don’t want all our beautiful areas and farm’s ruined with these * ugly useless wind farms, only have to see the examples overseas where nuclear power is working
it moves towards securing a safer future for all countries
I want Australia to not be supportive of the development and use of nuclear weapons or nuclear submarines. We should be investing in reducing war and violence of all forms, rather than prepare for it.