Nuclear power is set to be a contentious topic in the upcoming 2025 federal election, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposing the construction of seven nuclear reactors across Australia if elected. Currently, the building of new nuclear facilities is prohibited at both federal and some state levels due to legislation enacted in the late 1990s under John Howard’s Coalition government. This includes the National Radiation and Nuclear Safety Act (1998) and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), which collectively ban nuclear power initiatives nationwide.
Public sentiment towards nuclear energy in Australia has been predominantly negative since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, with concerns centred around financial costs, environmental risks, and the fact that nuclear energy, while low in carbon emissions, is not renewable. Although the Coalition argues that their nuclear proposal could lower electricity costs, critics highlight projections indicating nuclear would ultimately be more expensive than renewable sources by 2040.
Countries such as Austria and Italy have also banned nuclear power, while others have initiated phase-outs. Amidst a backdrop of mixed views on nuclear energy, Dutton’s advocacy aims to rekindle debate on its role in Australia’s energy future, despite the inherent challenges of overturning longstanding legislation and addressing environmental concerns.