’Nuclear is the gold standard‘: Dick Smith promises to fund a pro-nuclear campaign

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Dick Smith has vowed to continue funding a pro-nuclear energy campaign in Australia until “common sense prevails” and it becomes a reality.

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Philanthropist and entrepreneur Dick Smith has vowed to continue funding a pro-nuclear energy campaign in Australia until “common sense prevails” and it becomes a reality.

“Nuclear is the gold standard when it comes to clean energy production and the whole world needs to embrace it quickly,” Mr Smith said.

His support came after international nuclear lawyer Helen Cook told The Daily Telegraph that politicians could make the necessary legal changes to have a nuclear reactor operational in Australia by 2035.

“It is nonsense to say that 15 years is too long to get nuclear energy up and running in Australia,” he said.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Dick Smith says he was converted to nuclear energy by former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke.

Mr Smith has vowed to fund a pro-nuclear campaign and has already spent more than $100,000 supporting 17-year-old nuclear advocate Will Shackel.

“You only have to look at Will and his generation and know they are going to live another 80 years and need nuclear energy,” he said.

Mr Smith said he was converted to nuclear energy by former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke who challenged Australians to “think big” about radical changes.

“Nuclear power would be a win for the environment and an essential part of the attacking that must be made on this grievous and dangerous global warming. It would be a win for the global environment and a win for Australia,” Mr Hawke said at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2016.

Mr Smith said nuclear power had been embraced by more than 30 countries including France, the US and UK.

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