AUKUS submarines ‘to recalibrate nuclear politics’

The SA Premier says AUKUS submarines invite Australians to reconsider nuclear technology, but insists using it for energy is not economically viable.

Premier Peter Malinauskas at the Barrow-in-Furness nuclear submarine shipyard operated by BAE Systems. Picture: Paul Starick

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas says the politics of a nuclear industry in Australia will “recalibrate” in the wake of the AUKUS submarine deal, but has insisted using nuclear power for energy in Australia is not economically viable.

Mr Malinauskas, in London announcing training agreements between South Australia and British and United States universities to establish immediate degree courses in nuclear-related subjects, said the nuclear component of the AUKUS submarines would be made in the UK by Rolls Royce and then “inserted in the back of the submarine back home” in the submarine facility at Osborne.

The Premier said South Australian residents should be reassured about the safety of the nuclear aspect of the new submarines.

After visiting the Barrow in Furness nuclear submarine facility in England he noted that the local housing was situated so close “you can get out a one wood and hit a golf ball and hit the factory in which nuclear submarines are produced, and it is all done safely”.

He said the “enormous” AUKUS project now “invites an opportunity among Australians to reconsider the way we look at nuclear technology”.

He said: “The nuclear technology that will be inside the AUKUS submarines is unlike any other nuclear technology available that exists globally, it is truly cutting edge, and that will demonstrate to the Australian electorate this can be done safely in a way in the interests of our community, so that will recalibrate the politics of the nuclear industry in Australia.”

But Mr Malinauskas stressed that using nuclear power for civil purposes doesn’t work in the current economic circumstances.

“What should inform whether or not we have nuclear power for civil purposes is is whether it can be done economically and whether or not it will contribute to lowering power prices rather than increasing them,’’ he said.

“All of the evidence, all of the research undertaken up to this point, says a nuclear power station in the context of Australia geographically, and our industrial energy needs doesn’t stack up.

“If we build nuclear power station in Australia today, power prices would go up.

“It doesn’t work in the current economic circumstances, so I don’t think we should waste too much of our effort and public discourse on a technology that doesn’t necessarily apply in the Australian context.”

He said the waste storage facility required for the AUKUS-generated waste was very different in nature to the Low Level Waste that Australia currently produces (from producing medical needs at Lucas Heights in Sydney) and insisted “conflating the two is a risky proposition”.

“What we need is a thoughtful and considered discussion about how to handle nuclear waste and now is the time to ensure the science informs the outcome”, he said, noting that the decision was a matter for the Commonwealth.

“We know nuclear waste from AUKUS submarines is not required for storage until 2050’s, so we have time on our side to get the decision right, and I advocate this is done thoughtfully and maturely,” Mr Malinauskas said on Saturday.

“Nuclear waste from the AUKUS program is different in nature to the low level waste that Australia produces, which means different requirements.”

Mr Malinauskas said that the Flinders University has partnered with the UK’s leading nuclear university, the University of Manchester as well as the University of Rhode Island in the United States to deliver nuclear undergraduate and masters programs and doctoral level research training.

He said 5500 direct jobs will be created to build the AUKUS submarines in South Australia with peak employment predicted in 20 to 30 years.

The first university intake of a nuclear related program will begin in 2024, Flinders University president and vice-chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said.