August 11, 2021
Agriculture Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud wants Australia to have a “mature, broad conversation” about nuclear power in Australia.
Speaking on Sky News on Wednesday morning, Minister Littleproud said he personally supported removing the prohibition on nuclear energy.
Minister Littleproud was being quizzed by journalist Peter Stefanovic about the National Party’s position on stronger emissions targets in the wake of the recent release of the latest Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change report.
He was then asked about removing the prohibition on nuclear energy, which is supported by some MPs.
“I think we need to have a mature, broad conversation with the public, taking into account the new technologies that exist,” Minister Littleproud said.
“And I don’t think that new technology will point us to a great big nuclear power plant. But there are other technologies that are evolving in the nuclear space that I think we shouldn’t close our mind to, that we should explore in a mature conversation, a national conversation.
“We need to make sure that we bring the community to that juncture where they understand what that technology looks like.
“Rushing it, I think, won’t be the right methodology here. It’ll only mean that people will revert to type and be fearful of nuclear.
“So, I think there has to be a mature pathway to have that conversation. And how we do that is something that needs to be thought at some point in the future.”
Minister Littleproud said research was being undertaken in North America about modular nuclear plants which were much smaller and safer in size.
“I think we can obviously piggyback off some of that research. And I think that’s where we need to bring the public with us so that they get comfort with it,” he said.
“And that’s the mature way in which to lead our country, not bluntly force them into a decision right here, right now.
“I think that would only end with a ‘no’.
“I think, as I say, people will revert to type and to the precautionary principle and simply say ‘no’. They have to get confidence and we have to give them that confidence.
“At this juncture, I don’t think we could give them that confidence, but I think we shouldn’t steer away from the fact of trying and putting in their mind what are the possibilities.”
- External link: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
The problem with nuclear power generation is the lethal waste that’s left behind and remains deadly for hundreds of thousands of years. The only way to ensure it would never be a danger to anyone in the distant future would be to send it into space towards the sun, and I can’t see that ever happening.