Australia's bipartisan, long standing and prudent prohibition on nuclear energy should remain in force as it stands.
In response to the release of the House of Representatives standing Committee on Environment and Energy's report into the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation's (ACF) Nuclear Free Campaigner, Dave Sweeney, said:
"ACF strongly holds that the bipartisan, long standing and prudent prohibition on nuclear energy in Australia should remain in force as it stands.
"From the heartland to the harbour, the terrible drought and bushfires we are experiencing leave no doubt that Australia must quickly transition away from climate-wrecking fuels like coal, oil and gas.
"The Australian Energy Market Operator's roadmap for the efficient development of the National Electricity Market makes it clear that Australia's energy transition is heading towards small and large-scale renewables.
"Australia's long standing, sensible moratorium on nuclear energy, enacted by John Howard, does not preclude discussion or debate on nuclear. There has been plenty of both.
"But while no commercial operator will touch nuclear, the moratorium remains important as it prevents a reckless government pouring public money into this economically and environmentally risky industry.
"Australians know nuclear reactors overseas cost a fortune, take decades to build and come with the possibility of disastrous accidents and the certainty of eternal radioactive waste.
"Cheap, clean, safe reactors don't exist outside the minds of nuclear true believers. Flirting with nuclear is no basis for a credible national energy policy.
"The climate crisis we are living through is too serious and too urgent to fiddle at the margins with nuclear.
"We need to avoid the distraction of a nuclear cul de sac and take the renewable path.
"Australia's future is renewable, not radioactive."
In September a broad coalition of faith, union, environmental, Aboriginal and public health groups, representing millions of Australians, issued a strong statement opposing nuclear power.
