Nuclear nightmare: Labor condemns us to the dark ages

Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s rejection of the US, UK and other countries in collaborating on nuclear power development, based on the number of sunny days in Australia compared with London (“Bowen’s nuclear COP out”, 20/11), has all the intellectual depth of a bloke relaxing on the patio with an Esky nearby. If he took time to read publications from those partners he would see the detailed review of nuclear power combined with renewables, prepared for the Biden administration by the US Department of Energy. That report, Pathways to Commercial Lift off: Advanced Nuclear, analyses costs over the full lifetime for different energy options. Unlike comparisons published by AEMO and CSIRO, the US Department of Energy report includes total project costs, including associated transmission lines and waste disposal. It’s time for Bowen to pack up his Esky and head to the library to read some current information on why our AUKUS partners are offering collaboration on the inclusion of nuclear power in a global energy mix.

Michael Asten, Hawthorn, Vic

Labor’s economic and common sense failure to follow the rest of the world’s major nations and use nuclear energy defies belief. All leading nations have recognised that nuclear is the best long term and cost effective option for electricity. It poses a fundamental question for Labor and, more specifically, to Anthony Albanese and Energy Minister Bowen: what will it take for you to accept that your are wrong and you are forcing Australians into a massively expensive energy path that has limited life? What hubris to think you are the only ones in the world to be right.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Labor’s rejection of an offer from our AUKUS allies to join a new global nuclear energy pact is an embarrassing disgrace. The refusal to accept the good faith offer from our partners is not only disrespectful, but it harms our essential self-interest. Proposals to cut emissions and build energy security are vital for the benefit of the world. We’re better than the leadership vacuum in which we are floundering right now.

Jeffrey Trudgian, Victoria Park, WA

By refusing to sign an agreement with AUKUS partners to accelerate nuclear power development, Australia has become an international embarrassment. With climate change an urgent challenge, nuclear power is a compelling solution, especially for Australia. While renewables are vital, they remain unreliable for achieving net zero.

Nuclear energy provides a stable, long-term alternative. Aus­tralia is well-placed for this transition, with abundant uranium reserves, geologically stable areas for waste storage, and an energy grid ready to adapt as coal plants close. Considering the substantial subsidies already granted to renewables, claims that nuclear power is too costly are losing credibility.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

Any last vestige of hope that the Labor government would govern from the sensible centre, a promise made by Anthony Albanese at the last election, has now been lost with its decision to abandon an invitation from its AUKUS partners to expedite the spread of civil ­nuclear energy.

Labor has abandoned common sense to travel the ideological low road at a time when many other nations around the world have pulled on their long pants to recognise that, without nuclear power as part of the solution, net zero by 2050 is a pipe dream.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Dennis Shanahan nails it when he writes that the government’s argument for rejecting a UK-US appeal to join a global move to speed up the spread of civilian nuclear energy and cut carbon emissions has left Labor looking “contradictory, confused and embarrassed” (“Labor climate zealotry on display”, 20/11). Indeed, this irrationality on the international stage is precisely what they’ve been dishing up on the national stage.

Months ago, Peter Dutton pointed out the bipartisan support for nuclear submarines and medicine, and extended an invitation to Anthony Albanese to engage in an adult conversation about zero-emissions nuclear power. Why does Labor simultaneously play-the-man Dutton, insult the intelligence of voters, plus fail to give the issues of energy security, reliability, affordability and sovereignty the respect they deserve?

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW