Washington | The AUKUS military pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom should be used to kick-start a debate on nuclear energy in Australia, federal opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien has been telling members of Congress on a mostly self-funded tour of the US.

As the Albanese and Biden administrations finalise plans for sharing nuclear-powered submarine intelligence, Mr O’Brien, a noted China hawk, met with Democrat congressmen Joe Courtney, chairman of the Friends of Australia Caucus, to learn how Australia can get comfortable with nuclear power.