Australia is already a nuclear nation.
We’ve had a nuclear reactor in Sydney since 1958 that creates medicines which saves lives and a highly competent, globally recognised nuclear safety regulator.
Our landmark AUKUS agreement with the United States and United Kingdom adopts the use of nuclear-powered submarines to enhance our national security for generations to come.
Our country is ready for a nuclear energy debate, and quite frankly, our country needs it.
I am proud to be a member of a political party that still has the courage to both initiate and lead the hard policy discussions our nation must have.
Every Australian deserves, and should expect, continued access to reliable and affordable electricity while also reaching our carbon reduction targets.
Instead of having the courage to look at emerging technologies, Labor has put all its eggs in one basket with an expensive renewables-only approach, risking the lights going out as we run out of energy and failing to meet our net-zero targets.
In fact, 90 per cent of baseload power will be switched off by 2035 under Labor’s plan and renewables alone simply cannot fill the gap.
No other nation is planning to rely solely on solar and wind. Energy experts have warned the cost of Labor’s rollout will be between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion.
Their approach requires imposing 58 million solar panels, 3,500 industrial sized wind turbines, and up to 28,000 kilometres of new transmission lines across the country and along our coastline.
This rollout is already well behind schedule. Almost all of them will have been made in China with slave and forced labour. What happens if they can’t build this infrastructure on time, then what? Labor has no plan B.
Today, 32 countries safely operate zero-emissions nuclear plants. Another 50 countries are now looking seriously to do so. Of the world’s 20 largest economies, Australia is the only one not using nuclear energy, or moving towards using it.
The only one.
Western Australia is already in the process of transforming into a sovereign nuclear ready State by 2027, when we will become the home of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
With the addition of civilian nuclear power generation, we could lead the nation in new technologies and industries for decades to come.
As the Minister for Defence who put our nation on the nuclear submarine pathway, I find it extraordinary that Labor finds nuclear energy safe for our submariners, who are already training on US nuclear powered submarines, but not safe for civilians.
Instead of personal insults and scare campaigns, we need a Prime Minister that engages in the debate in a sensible and mature way, for the betterment of our nation.
Is it safe for all Australians or not Prime Minister?
Australian’s have nothing to fear, but everything to gain from a robust and sensible discussion on our future energy mix options.
The Coalition’s plan will introduce zero-emissions nuclear energy, which has proven to get electricity prices and emissions down all over the world.
This means our energy mix today of renewables, gas, and coal will shift to a future energy mix of renewables, gas and nuclear.
Zero-emissions nuclear energy will complement renewables and gas to get prices down and keep the lights on as we decarbonise.
On coming to government, we will lift the moratorium on nuclear technology and establish a civil nuclear program in Australia.
Our zero-emissions nuclear energy programme will consist of two phases: starting with two establishment projects in the mid-2030s followed by a buildout of projects though to 2050.
The seven proposed locations won’t be from a standing start, each are at power stations that have either closed, or scheduled to close, including Muja Power Station here in WA.
Importantly, each of these locations offer important technical attributes needed for a zero-emissions nuclear plant, including cooling water capacity and transmission infrastructure, that is, we can use the existing poles and wires, along with a local community which has a skilled workforce.
Additionally, in WA we already have a radioactive waste storage facility operated by Tellus at Sandy Ridge near Kalgoorlie.
We’re well equipped already for a transition to nuclear energy.
We understand that the front of this next wave of growth will be those communities which host zero-emissions nuclear plants.
Not only will local communities benefit from high paying, multi-generational jobs but communities will be empowered to maximise the benefits from hosting an asset of national importance.
A community partnership will be formed in each host community, consisting of experienced local representatives, as the focal point for community engagement and to play an important role in planning the future of the region.
This community engagement process will occur alongside a comprehensive site study including detailed technical and economic assessments.
We need a sensible and informative discussion about nuclear energy, it’s what Australians expect from the politicians that represent them in the best interest of our nation.
We must stick to the facts and avoid engaging in an immature debate fuelled by misinformation and scare campaigns.
A zero-emissions nuclear power plant will be a national asset delivering cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy for 80 years.
Getting started now on establishing a civil nuclear program is the right decision for Australians, their children and their grandchildren.
It is time the idea of nuclear energy begins to become a reality in Australia.
Our plan is bold, visionary and what Australians need to secure our energy and economic future, while reaching net-zero.
