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
There are too many risks to human life and the environment for any nuclear industry.
I do not want waste transported over our oceans or the risk of a nuclear disaster.
Nuclear energy would be fine if it could be made 100% safe, but we all that this would be impossible. Just ask those living near Chernobyl or Fukushima.
And besides, no-one wants radioactive waste in their backyard. We already have premiers squabbling about which state it will be stored in. And we haven’t even got the nuclear submarines yet! Our federal government should put its money where its mouth is. It is they who are committing us to buying nuclear submarines, so the waste should be stored on the grounds of parliament house!
I want Australia to stay nuclear -free – just like our Anzus partner New Zealand! Why would we have to repeat our alliance with the U.S. -with a loser track record over the past 70 years? Think: Korea, Vietnam, Irak, Iran, Afghanistan??
Dismantle A.S.P.I. asap. Distance Australia from USA. Make China know they are not our enemy and reaffirm that Tiawan is a domestic issue for China. Definitely no nuclear subs.
I want Australia nuclear free because nuclear energy disrupts other dimensions and worlds
We need to reduce nuclear related weaponry, electricity creation and the propulsion of vehicles ,,, the more risky nuclear devises there are the more chance of accidents and the consequences will effect thousands of generations of both humans and all other species,, .it is our responsibility to care and be stewards of this earth , not increase potential destruction with fear at the centre of our actions ,, See reason , do the maths , ban nuclear across the planet,. Stupid is what stupid does
We need to be ending direct ties with the USA and their warmongering. Not aligning ourselves in debt
Still the price of nuclear freedom is eternal vigilance…do we really have to keep having this fight?
Never clean, never green, the whole cycle a cruel burden on future generations…
No nuclear waste reactors or submarines
I am particularly concerned about the AUKUS Nuclear Sub deal. Highly secretive, exorbitantly costly when we are in a housing and health crisis, with nothing to show for 20 years and very few details about it. Zero consultation with the Australian public.
Nuclear is WAAAAAY too expensive, too dangerous and too late to be any help to us in addressing the climate crisis. And unlike some countries, Australia has ample wind, solar and tidal energy to do without nuclear. And how did this nuclear subs deal get pushed through the back door? People need to start getting outraged because it is a LOOONG way from being a done deal!
I want Australia to be nuclear free because it is a very very expensive form of energy and the disposal of nuclear waste is always going to be a problem. No nuclear energy and no nuclear weapons on Australian soil. The benefits are not worth the risks.
I want Australia to be nuclear-free because it’s too dangerous Not To.
Once mines have made their money the community has to live with what they have ruined. They may say there is no risk or they will restore the environment afterwards. These are misrepresentations. Even lies. The environment is the future and cannot be “restored”. It is more important than profit and must be protected