Tasmanian Liberal senator Wendy Askew says state should consider nuclear power for energy mix
A Tasmanian senator has urged her state Liberal colleagues to be open-minded about nuclear energy as the nation makes the transition to renewables.
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Liberal senator Wendy Askew says Tasmania should consider incorporating nuclear power into its energy mix, describing it as a “reliable and cost-effective option”.
But the proposal has been dismissed out of hand by the state government, with Energy Minister Guy Barnett noting that the island is already powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
In a Talking Point published in Tuesday’s Mercury, Senator Askew says “now is the perfect time to start a discussion about the mix of renewable energy options” to support Tasmania’s aspirations of becoming the Battery of the Nation.
“Nuclear energy is not new, and it is a reliable and cost-effective technology,” she says.
“The advanced, modern day nuclear technology is available right now, and it could help future-proof our energy needs, drive down prices and assist with the rapid decarbonisation of the industry.”
Senator Askew says Tasmanians “deserve to have their say on this idea and give their thoughts about whether we should back this technology or not”.
Her comments come after the Coalition changed its position on a domestic nuclear industry following its election loss in May, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for it to be included in the nation’s energy mix.
Nuclear power stations are banned in every state and territory.
Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said nuclear was “not a safe, clean, timely, economic or practical solution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions”.
“Until nuclear energy plants don’t produce radioactive material and we have an infinite amount of uranium to feed them then I can’t see how it’s a viable option,” he said.
Energy Minister Guy Barnett said Tasmania was focused on wind, solar, hydro, and pumped hydro in its quest to reach 200 per cent renewable generation by 2040.
“Given Tasmania’s incredible renewable energy potential, the Tasmanian government is not pursuing nuclear energy as an option,” he said.
In a radio interview on 5AA in Adelaide last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the case for nuclear energy “just doesn’t add up”.
“Every five years or so we have this economic analysis of whether nuclear power stacks up and every time it’s rejected,” he said.
The federal budget forecast that power prices would rise by a massive 56 per cent over the next two years.
National cabinet has agreed to cap gas prices at $12 a gigajoule temporarily and put a ceiling on coal prices at $125 a tonne in the hope of arresting skyrocketing energy bills for households and businesses.
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Originally published as Tasmanian Liberal senator Wendy Askew says state should consider nuclear power for energy mix
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