Time for Dutton to produce the nuclear evidence
Kevin Bailey, -Yet another group – this time the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering – has, based on existing evidence, questioned the Coalition’s nuclear plans (″Experts query Dutton’s nuclear plan″, 24/7). Their view adds to those of the Australian Energy Market Operator, several business groups and the National Farmers Federation who have recently expressed similar opinions. Notwithstanding this, Dutton continues to claim, without explicitly naming those whom he describes as ″some of Australia’s cleverest minds″, that he knows best. It’s about time he produced not only the names of the people who have those minds but also the evidence on which his claims are based. And while he’s at it, perhaps he can also provide the detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Fiona Colin, – The fading safer future for our children. Yet another nail in Peter Dutton’s nuclear coffin comes from the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering. The academy’s president says ″they are not a viable part of that [decarbonisation] solution″ because they are not commercially available anywhere and therefore would not get us to where we need to be. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is clear: this is the critical decade if we are to have any hope of limiting warming to safe levels, i.e. 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Current policies have the planet on track to warming of around 3 degrees. The CSIRO calculated that in 2023 ″Australia emitted 465.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent″, 0.8 per cent more than in 2022. The Coalition seeks to delay action to bring down emissions. Labor’s new gas and coal will not bring down emissions. Carbon capture and storage and offsets will not bring down emissions. The opposition continues to deride and stymie the rollout of renewables. Fossil fuel interests continue to lobby and pressure governments to enable expansion. Meanwhile, consumers are denied the cheapest form of electricity in history, and a safer future for their children.
The action must be now Graeme Lechte, The article (24/7) highlights the fact that any plans for a nuclear energy program will take decades rather than years to establish. This, at a time when the world just experienced its hottest day on record. We need immediate action on lowering emissions not a plan that wouldn’t be up and running until the 2040s.Other questions also need to be asked of the proponents of nuclear. How much will the establishment of a nuclear industry cost? Exactly how long will it take to establish? What will be the percentage of energy needs supplied by the nuclear industry? Exactly where will the reactors be situated and what effect will they have on our precious water resources? Finally, and most importantly, how and where will the resultant radioactive waste be stored. Until supporters of nuclear come up with the answers to these questions support for a nuclear industry will gain no traction.
An honest discussion is needed, Jennifer Gerrand,
Peter Dutton, when recently spruiking the Coalition’s nuclear energy plan in the small town of Murchison, a Queensland electorate the Coalition has earmarked for a small modular reactor (SMR), says he wants an honest discussion about nuclear power. How can there be an honest discussion when he hasn’t provided costs of their plans for such. He doesn’t name ″the smartest minds in Australia″ who, he claims, attest to nuclear power being cheaper than renewable wind or solar energy. Strong, consistent, evidence-based disagreement to such plans by energy experts has continued from the time that policy was first announced.Nor does Dutton acknowledge, while mentioning the name Bill Gates, that Gates recently advised 7.30 journalist Sarah Ferguson that, due to present concerns about aspects of SMRs, Australia should wait several years before making decisions about their appropriateness for our continent’s needs.Jennifer Gerrand, Carlton North
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