Nigel Farage tells MPs a nuclear-powered Oz is a ‘no-brainer’ as new legislation introduced

Nationals senator Matt Canavan will introduce legislation to remove a roadblock on Australia’s road to nuclear power, as Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage declares nuclear a “no-brainer”.

Former UK Independence Party chief and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage told a group of parliamentarians Wednesday that it was a “no-brainer” for Australia to adopt nuclear power.

The British politician’s call came the same day Nationals senator Matt Canavan introduced legislation to remove a key roadblock on Australia’s road to adopting atomic energy.

“God, you’ve been one of the richest countries on the planet,” an animated Mr Farage told an audience of Coalition MPs, senators and staffers at a private function in Parliament House.

“And nuclear is back in a big, big way … I mean, in countries like America, big majorities want a lot more nuclear power.”

“For Australia, it’s a no-brainer … this really could make you one of the richest per capita countries in the world, if there was a massive expansion of nuclear.”

Former Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage is in Australia for a speaking tour. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Mr Farage also criticised former prime minister Scott Morrison for signing up to net zero at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

“It strikes me that Scott Morrison turned up at COP26 … and (didn’t) like to be the odd man out … there he is being bullied by all the other world leaders and he signs Australia up to net zero without your country having a proper debate.”

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison shares a laugh with the man who would be King Charles III at the Glasgow COP26 climate summit. Picture: Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP

Mr Farage’s remarks came the same day Mr Canavan was to move a private senators’ bill in the upper house to remove a ban on nuclear power.

Mr Canavan said that electricity would become less reliable under net zero power schemes, adding that companies “should not have to have a weatherman on their board of directors” to predict when renewable power will be available to run their operations.

“We need reliable power, and we need to support the manufacturing industry,” Mr Canavan said shortly before introducing the private senator’s bill, which comes with the support of eight other Coalition senators.

“Putting aside net zero, if you are going to walk away from coal and gas you have got to have another reliable option that does not rely on a weather forecast.”

Senator Matt Canavan is introducing legislation to lift Australia’s unique nuclear power ban.

“If you have a weatherman telling you that you can produce today and not tomorrow because it’s not windy or sunny, you’re not going to have a business, and you’re not going to have a manufacturing industry in this country.”

“If coal and gas remain black-listed, well, we are going to have go nuclear, and that will also help deliver zero emissions.”

Mr Canavan said the proposed legislation will not immediately enable the construction of nuclear power plants in Australia, which would still need to be signed off by the environment minister of the day.

Instead, it would remove the legal ban, making it “an important first step in declaring that Australia is ready to have a fact based analysis of nuclear energy options.”

Germany is considering postponing the closing of the Isar nuclear power plant in Essenbach due to a possible energy shortage this winter.

Mr Canavan said a new generation of nuclear reactor being produced by companies like Rolls-Royce, General Electric and an American start-up called New Power radically changed the environmental and economic calculations around nuclear.

According to Mr Canavan, the world spent $2 trillion on nuclear energy and $2.3 trillion on solar and wind power installations, yet nuclear still produces double the amount of electricity as the renewable options.

The move to remove the ban comes just a month after energy regulators warned that the exodus of coal operators from the market would lead to power shortfalls along the east coast of Australia within three years.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is co-sponsoring the bill. Picture: Chloe Erlich

NSW Senator Ross Cadell said, “When families flick the switch we need to ensure the lights come on.”

“This legislation is a step to ensuring that we do just that.” Senator Cadell said.

NT Senator Jacinta Price, another co-sponsor of the bill, said, “If we truly as a nation want the cleanest and most reliable energy source there is available, then nuclear power is the logical option.”

“The cost of doing business will only continue to rise, which will result in the cost of living for already struggling Australians and industry alike.”