Speaking at the Global Uranium Conference in Adelaide today, South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said Australia’s nuclear conversation is just beginning and emphasised the role South Australia’s uranium is playing to support global decarbonisation energy needs.
Nuclear for Australia Founder Will Shackel said commonsense policy changes need to follow at both state and federal levels.
“It’s encouraging to hear a Labor politician recognise nuclear energy for what it is: a clean energy source and a player in the global energy transition,” Mr Shackel said.
“Nuclear energy operates safely in more than 30 countries around the world delivering, the latest IAEA report estimates that global nuclear operational capacity will more than double by 2050, and 39 countries representing over 70% of global GDP have committed to triple their own nuclear power capacity by 2050.
“We welcome the Treasurer’s comments that this is only the beginning of the nuclear conversation in Australia, because the nuclear industry is in a renaissance, and the opportunity is ripe for us to change our policy and legislative frameworks to ensure we can capitalise on this moment.”
Treasurer Koutsantonis said it is a ‘testament to the idiocy of politics’ that nuclear industries remain banned, as he reiterated SA Labor’s commitment to uranium mining.
“Nuclear energy, powered by Australia’s uranium, can unlock the safe, low emissions solution the world needs to meet significant and growing energy demands. ” Mr Shackel said.
The Treasurer’s address comes as Liberal Queensland Premier David Crisafulli today confirmed he is open to considering new coal-fired power stations as the energy source for the state’s prospective AI data centre industry.
“I am dismayed that on the same day Prime Minister and Energy Minister are in the Pacific talking about the critically important actions we need to take to protect our climate, Queensland’s Premier is talking about turning on new coal-fired power,” Mr Shackel said.
“It’s absurd that low-emissions nuclear is being excluded from the debate. Our nation’s climate – and especially Queensland climate – simply can’t afford this.
“If Premier Crisafulli was truly ‘open minded to whatever energy form is necessary’ then he would lift the ideological policy ban that prevents clean nuclear technology from even being considered.”
Mr Shackel added that more than 120,000 people have signed Nuclear for Australia’s petition to lift the legislative bans on nuclear energy.
“Australians deserve an energy grid that is affordable, reliable and clean. It’s time for politicians to get out of the way and lift the legislative bans on nuclear energy in Australia so that all energy options are on the table,” he said.
