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:
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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
Because I am an idiot who cannot see past the stupidity of sole reliance on renewables and fossil fuels.
There is no need for nuclear power in Australia. We live in an enormous country bathed in sunlight most of the year. We should be leading the world in renewable energy resources. Building giant solar farms out in the far west; built with Australian materials; staffed by FIFO workers; making enough clean energy for several states at a time. Imagine, the work this would create and jobs it would generate? Imagine, Australia leading the rest of the world in renewable energy? Imagine, the impact of lowering greenhouse emissions dramatically across the country? The cost saving? The reduction in fossil fuel energy?
These are a few of the reasons nuclear power should never be an option in Australia.
We should have gone nuclear a decade ago.
It is the only sensible option to the environmental vandalism of the once beautiful landscape blighted by expensive solar panels and windmills which won’t give cheap and reliable power
Because it’s the most rationale approach, to include modern SMR technology within Australias energy portfolio. With uranium, existing grids, and capacity to plug into existing coal plants as they retire, it makes complete sense.
Because the renewables are not the answer and I am sick of paying too much as I am a pensioner
Cheaper, safer power, no mobile 07-3133-4506
This makes sense plenty of uranium and can be put into existing transmission networks
I want Austalia to be niclear free because i want to live
Going nuclear in regards to our Power grid is absolutely necessary to maintain a reliable clean energy for Australia.
I really don’t understand why Australia has not done this 30 years ago.
Really life is simple live simply so others may simply live haven’t we learnt yet we only get one EARTH 🌎 Stop exploiting what sustains all life force stop.
Reliable energy supply – and safer than all other forms of energy generation…
It is more a sensible option than green stuff
I want Australia to be nuclear-free for several reasons. Firstly, uranium mining is dangerous and we already have a legacy of old mines left in a dangerous state. Secondly, nuclear power is expensive and not clean. Also, nuclear weapons are dangerous. And finally, we still have no solution for radioactive waste.
Australia and the world need to be nuclear free because their is no safe storage option for the radioactive waste and its transportation.
Damage to nuclear plants from conflicts or natural occurences cannot be prevented.
Rehabilitation of affected areas from damaged plant or mining of the raw material is hugely costly in human, environmental and monetary terms.
Aggressive use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic for life on earth.
I don’t want our country to have nuclear for any reason. Keep Australia nuclear-free.
Nuclear power is dirty expensive.
Renewable power is clean and comparatively cheap.
I want Australia to be nuclear free because high risk to miners and destruction of the mining site.
I want Australia to be nuclear free .