The Albanese government is sabotaging Australia’s longstanding and deep involvement in next-generation nuclear research, just as the world is getting serious about the emissions-free technology.
We have been an active member of the world’s leading small-scale nuclear research group but not, it seems, anymore.
Chris Bowen has effectively said he will pull Australia out of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) just as it moves from research to deployment phase and our major allies pour billions of dollars into research and development.
The GIF was established in 2001 as a co-operative international endeavour seeking to test the feasibility and performance of fourth-generation nuclear systems, and to make them available for industrial deployment by 2030. It brings together 13 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States – as well as the European Atomic Energy Community, representing the 27 EU members.
The Australian flag is displayed on the cover of the GIF’s 2023 annual report. Our involvement is detailed in a full page. Our contribution involves research into high-temperature reactor projects, along with contributing research in support of molten salt reactor projects.
The annual report said Australia “continues to be a committed and co-operative member of the Generation IV International Forum for the joint development of the next generation of nuclear technology, which is vital for the future of the nuclear energy industry and for the sustainable development of the planet”.
It says that while Australian government policy continues to prohibit the civilian use of nuclear energy in the country, “it continues to recognise that nuclear energy is a mature technology used to deliver reliable electricity in many countries, with zero greenhouse-gas emissions at the point of generation and low life-cycle emissions”.
It says the AUKUS security partnership with the UK and US will enable Australia to leverage nuclear-powered submarine expertise.
“Announcements by the Australian government in early 2023 indicated continuing support for the program, including the formation of a dedicated agency to manage Australia’s efforts,” the report said.
The GIF said a focus for Australia in its role as a member of the forum continued to be “the mutual benefits reaped from international co-operation in programs that underpin the next generation of nuclear technology”.
The existing GIF framework agreement expires on February 28 next year and the policy group agreed in 2023 to develop a new framework agreement for those parties mutually willing to continue collaborations. Russia is being excluded from the new group.
Bowen’s comments on Tuesday make it clear we are getting out of the nuclear business at a time when our major allies are preparing to double down.
More Coverage
Is Chalmers living in the same country as the rest of us?
Are you better off than three years ago? More Australians, like Americans did a fortnight ago, are saying No
Mysterious departure of two key banking directors
Westpac chair Steven Gregg has some explaining to do at the AGM after noting in his annual report two of four directors would renominate – but they have now stepped down.