AUKUS alliance: Nuclear-powered ‘does not mean legalising nuclear energy’

One of the Morrison government’s biggest advocates for nuclear energy has warned against linking the nuclear submarines deal to legalising the controversial electricity source.

LNP MP Ted O'Brien.

One of the Morrison government’s biggest advocates for nuclear energy has warned against linking the nuclear submarines deal to legalising the electricity source.

Liberal National MP Ted O’Brien, the head of the government’s backbench energy committee, said people who were linking the historic submarine deal to lifting the ban on nuclear power generation were “missing the point … While I have been a strong advocate for considering nuclear energy I do not see this deal as being related.

“They are two entirely different offerings. The nuclear-­propelled submarines do not require a change in Australian law. So legally they are completely different issues for the parliament to deal with. There is no moratorium that needs to be lifted.

“Secondly, this is an issue of nat­ional security, a residual benefit of which is greater agreement between the two major parties on an issue of defence,” Mr O’Brien said. “Thirdly, a prerequisite for greater use of nuclear technology is a social licence and broad public support. Nuclear submarines and nuclear energy are two completely different offerings. We shouldn’t link the two, and anyone who does is missing the point.”

Scott Morrison said a civil nuclear capacity in Australia was not needed to operate nuclear submarines. “Next-generation nuclear-powered submarines will use reactors that do not need refuelling during the life of the boat. A civil nuclear power capability here in Australia is not required to pursue this new capability,” the Prime Minister said.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said, however, he hoped the AUKUS pact would “ open the door” for the growth of the nuclear industry in Australia.

“When it comes to nuclear submarines, that should open the door for Australia to look at an opportunity for a nuclear industry.

“Australia has an abundant supply of uranium,” he said.

“This may open the door … a debate we started years ago, a debate the public has got involved in. I believe the vast majority of Australians now understand why nuclear energy is the answer – a piece of technology that can fix climate change, decarbonise the environment and economy. I’m excited that this opens this door.”

ETU national assistant secretary Michael Wright said the submarines deal was “preposterous” and a betrayal of the nation’s non-nuclear policy.

“This decision represents a betrayal of responsibility to Aus­tralia’s non-nuclear policy and a betrayal of two generations of highly skilled, secure, well-­paying Australian shipbuilding jobs,” Mr Wright said. “Nuclear technology is inherently dangerous, something that ETU members have known first-hand for decades.”

Anthony Albanese said Labor would oppose the deal if it paved the way for nuclear power being legalised in Australia.

“Labor has three conditions for the support of nuclear-powered submarines, which we have sought assurance on.”

Among them, the Opposition Leader said, is that “there will be no acquisition of nuclear weapons”.