Lift ban on nuclear to power the national economy

If the Australian government real­ly wants to ingratiate itself with the French and restore our battered reputation as a trading partner, what better way than to junk our absurd ban on nuclear power and open negotiations with France on purchasing its highly successful nuclear technology? We might never get to the same point of exporting billions of dollars’ worth of cheap electric energy because we’d be so late into the game, but at least the lights would remain on day and night, even during the worst heatwave conditions.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ claim that the ban on nuclear power is justified because it is uneconomic doesn’t pass the pub test (“PM told it’s time for a nuclear switch”, 5/12). Since when is this government concerned about whether a private enterprise venture is profitable or not?

Renewables can’t stand on their own feet. We must remove the ban on nuclear power and wait and see whether private enterprise thinks it is worth a crack. What are they afraid of?

Chris Taylor, Dernancourt, SA

The government’s focus on replacing fossil fuel generation with renewables while outright rejecting nuclear power may be premature. Both options have their pros and cons. One notable advantage of nuclear power over renewables, is that it provides electrical momentum to the grid.

Renewables power output is proportional to solar and wind fluctuations, necessitating intricate solutions or adjustments to ensure a consistent supply, whereas turbines powered by nuclear (and fossil fuels) can maintain a stable and consistent output.

Sustaining electrical momentum is essential for energy-intensive industries, such as aluminium smelters. In Australia, the adoption of nuclear power could facilitate the domestic processing of abundant resources such as iron ore, bauxite, lithium, rare earth metals and more. Currently, the country exports our mined ore, natural gas and coal for processing overseas, which is not only energy-inefficient but also environmentally pollutive due to transportation.

By processing these mining products at home, Australia stands to gain economic wealth and contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions.

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

We have seen Anthony Albanese and several frontbenchers demonstrating they are not up to the job. Many pundits have been relying on Jim Chalmers to provide the common sense required, but his comments on nuclear energy make it difficult to believe he is capable of doing this.

The Treasurer claims nuclear energy is too expensive and will take too long. Renewables, including Snowy 2.0, are going at a slow pace and will not have achieved their goal by 2030. Building nuclear, which is well established worldwide, and setting up a nuclear industry, needed for nuclear-powered submarines, can be achieved in this time frame.

After some career experience working on the commissioning of a nuclear power station, I think the difficulty of finding the expertise required to maintain these units is exaggerated. Chalmers is Treasurer but does not have an economics background, which probably explains his thinking on the cost differential. For renewables, when you take into account the high initial capital cost, the need for replacement every 20 years, the cost of distribution, the need for backups and the loss of vast acres of arable land, nuclear will be viable and reliable.

R. Watson, Sunnybank Hills, Qld

Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Farrow says Australia cannot sustain, let alone grow, its heavy industry sector on renewables. The problem with wind and solar is they are incap­able of generating the intense heat required for making essentials such as steel, aluminium and glass.

Yet the Albanese government doesn’t want to be told. The fact it is hellbent on shutting down coal-fired power and refuses to lift the ban on nuclear reveals its couldn’t-care-less attitude when it comes to the future of our vital heavy industries. Make no mistake, Labor’s intent is to leave not only the heavy industry sector but the entire nation at the mercy of weak, inefficient, intermittent renewables. Could such reckless behaviour be Labor’s undoing after only one term in office? The message for the Albanese government is clear: Get your act together.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld