Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy in Australia

Nuclear energy in Australia is complex. We’ll attempt to explain what has and is occurring below.

  1. Nuclear energy is not nuclear weapons.

  2. Nuclear medicine as an example, is a medical specialty that uses small, safe amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat various diseases. CLICK

  3. Nuclear energy is essentially derived from uranium which is a heavy metal commonly found in low concentrations in rocks, soil and water. It was discovered way back in 1789 by a German chemist. CLICK

  4. Australia has an abundance of uranium and is the 4th largest producer globally. CLICK

  5. Globally 31 countries are powered by nuclear energy with there being 440 commercial nuclear power reactors. CLICK

  6. Australia has no nuclear power, but a high reliance on coal to deliver base load power. CLICK

  7. There are huge hurdles to nuclear in Australia with a number of pieces of legislation preventing nuclear power. CLICK

  8. As many appreciate, coal is not sustainable so Governments are spending billions on renewables and yet, these sources of power are not proving less expensive or keeping up with demand.

  9. For example, billions of dollars of tax payer money has been wasted on Green Hydrogen with almost all operations either not starting or failing. CLICK

  10. Governments in Australia often make nuclear out as being ugly, huge, dangerous and expensive. But big nuclear is not the solution for Australia. In Japan a consortium led by Japanese leading nuclear technology company MHI, have installed the Yoroi Reactor. This reactor is a 1 megawatt clean energy system, using molten salt and low-enriched uranium. It is safe, the size of a shipping container and powers whole communities for 20 years without refuelling. CLICK

Supporting Material

Read our post on micro-power generation CLICK

Does Indigenous Australia have a role to play? CLICK

Tim Gregory - Nuclear Scientist on Nuclear in Australia CLICK

What about the role of local governments and communities? CLICK

Who are Australia’s top three energy providers? CLICK

As you appreciate YAM is 100% political neutral.

We work with all sides of politics to achieve outcomes we believe are in the best interest of young Aussies into the future.

This is a solid watch.

Projects

  • Julia Reynolds argues dairy policy is lagging well behind many countries.

    Julia explores how small changes could make a massive positive difference to the viability and future of Australian dairy farming.

  • Dean Logan - policy synergy (Native Forests and Oceans)

    As a senior policy analyst Dean addressing the strategies employed to move away from native logging to plantation timber with the push to create large scale marine parks. In essence, he takes the debate BEYOND GREEN and argues the science proves the ENGO strategies have failed the environment.

  • Sue Ling analyses agricultural trade policy with China.

    Sue explores the policy framework related specifically to AG trade and China. She suggests some small policy ‘tweaks’ would present an horizon Australian farmers only dream of.

  • Peter Fitzgerald takes a look at seafood

    Peter questions why commercial fishermen are not considered primary producers within the broader AG policy framework and presents a strong case for reform as it relates to Australian food security.