Antinuclear

Parliamentary committee recommends lifting ban on modern nuclear power technology The Advertiser,14 Dec 19

Stopping short of a full go-ahead, the government-dominated committee called for more economic and scientific analysis……

However, Labor members of the committee said the economics did not stack up and it would be “irrational” to pursue nuclear power.

“There is simply no case for wasting time and resources on a technology that is literally the slowest, most expensive, most dangerous, and least flexible form of new power generation,” committee deputy chair Josh Wilson and fellow Labor members said in a dissenting report.

Labor and independent Zali Steggall both called for a national energy policy but the recommendation was struck down.

“A national energy policy is an essential prerequisite to the consideration of lifting the moratorium on nuclear energy,” she said.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor, who initiated the inquiry, said the Government would take its time to consider the report.

“The Government has no plans to lift the longstanding moratorium on nuclear energy,” he said.

“Any changes … would need bipartisan support and broad community acceptance.”

The committee, which received more than 300 submissions and held hearings around the country, made three broad recommendations.

Firstly, it called for a holistic, strategic approach that would learn from international partners, identify opportunities, build bipartisanship and put “the community at the centre”.

Secondly, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation should be tasked with categorising nuclear into old and new technology — so-called Generation III+ and beyond which have in-built safety features.

The Productivity Commission should look at economics and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency at safety, waste, skills and governance.

In addition an unspecified expert body should “educate and inform Australians”.

Thirdly, the Federal Parliament should lift the ban on Generation III+ and beyond, conditional on the recommended scientific assessments.

Finally, with state and territory government, the Commonwealth should commit to any approval only after “the prior informed consent of local impacted communities”.