The nuclear option: Peter Duttons bid for power

January 12, 2024

Thank you to Mark Diesendorf for his cool-headed and informative piece on why nuclear is no good for Australia. The facts speak for themselves.

The political debate about the oppose renewables aspect, however, needs constant attention. As we saw at COP28, the nuclear lobby was touting for business. Members of the Opposition joined with 22 countries whose main task appears to have been to commit to mobilise investments in nuclear power, including through innovative financing mechanisms.

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report noted a 4 percent decrease in global nuclear production; it fell to 9.2 percent, its lowest share in 4 decades. The NuScale SMR program, despite billions of subsidies, collapsed. EDF, Frances nuclear company, lost 19b in 2023 and is 64b in debt. Nuclear is a dying industry.

So the question is: why is it being promoted by the Opposition?

Either they do not understand the science or the economics, or they wilfully ignore those facts simply to create division and resistance to the Governments renewables project in order to regain power.

The nuclear lobby, its puppets in the Coalition and the Murdoch press will no doubt accelerate their campaign as we approach the next federal election.