Should Australia use nuclear power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Video clip at right: On September 23, 2024, 7 News televised a segment treating the Opposition leader Peter Dutton's speech outlining the Coalition's nuclear plan. The news report also quotes critics highlighting the lack of costings.
The Issue at a Glance
'No country can run effectively on solar, wind and batteries alone'Peter Dutton, leader of the federal Opposition
'The Coalition's plan to pause new renewable investment...will result in massive supply shortages over the next decade'
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
On September 23, 2024, the leader of the federal Opposition, Peter Dutton, gave a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. He reiterated the Coalition's position that, as it moves away from coal and gas, Australia needs to include nuclear power to 'firm up' renewables in its energy mix.
The Coalition is planning to build seven nuclear reactors on the sites of current or former coal-fired power stations.
The Coalition's proposal has been condemned by the government, many climate scientists, and others as prohibitively expensive, unachievable within the necessary timeframe and a destructive diversion from renewables.