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The merits or otherwise of nuclear power has dominated public debate this week, after Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced the Coalition’s uncosted proposal to build seven nuclear power plants at the sites of old coal-fired power stations. As Griffith University Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe writes, it is very difficult to take Dutton’s announcement seriously. At present, he says, the plan is “legally impossible, technically improbable, economically irrational
and environmentally irresponsible.”
There are, however, viable alternatives to nuclear, as University of Wollongong Energy Futures Director Ty Christopher, and his colleague Associate Professor Michelle Voyer, explain today. Australia’s fourth offshore wind energy zone has just been approved in the New South Wales Illawarra region – and it could generate the same amount of energy as Australia’s largest coal-fired power station. They argue offshore wind is more consistent than either onshore wind or
rooftop solar, and is the most practical way to provide energy security in a renewables-dominated grid. It’s also more consistent than coal – an ageing, polluting technology that the Coalition says should provide our electricity until nuclear
gets off the ground.
Still, Dutton’s plan has found a friend in Ziggy Switkowski, who headed John Howard’s 2006 nuclear inquiry that reported favourably on the potential for nuclear energy in Australia. As Michelle Grattan writes, the former chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation described Dutton as “a person of conviction” and said his blueprint was feasible. Gratton notes the Coalition proposes to put the reactors – all on sites of former or current power stations – in their own backyards. Of the seven seats involved, five are Coalition (three held by the Nationals, two Liberal).
The battle over energy is shaping up to be central to the next federal election. Stick with us for evidence-based analysis of the hits and misses.
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Clare Peddie
Deputy Environment + Energy Editor
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Ty Christopher, University of Wollongong; Michelle Voyer, University of Wollongong
Offshore wind power can play a starring role in Australia’s future energy mix. It sure beats nuclear and coal, offering advantages in scale, availability and proximity to both users and the grid.
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Ian Lowe, Griffith University
Going nuclear in Australia would mean overcoming a set of almost impossible obstacles, from legal to financial, regulatory and workforce.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
In the timing of his announcement, Peter Dutton is putting his nuclear power policy through an early stress test.
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Adam Triggs, Australian National University
Our research looked at alternative jobs on offer for 766 NSW coal mine workers. We found some, like electricians, would find work easily – but without local retraining, others may have had to move.
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Jordana Hunter, Grattan Institute; Amy Haywood
The Victorian Auditor-General has just released an audit of $1.2 billion tutoring program designed to help struggling students post-COVID.
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Rauno Parrila, Australian Catholic University; Anne Castles, Australian Catholic University; Saskia Kohnen, Australian Catholic University
Victoria has just announced all government schools will be required to use phonics to teach reading from next year.
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Matt Fernandez, CQUniversity Australia; Giovanni E. Ferreira, University of Sydney; Joshua Zadro, University of Sydney
A large survey found many Australians take their young child to see a chiropractor, and most are happy with the results. But is it safe?
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Tash Pocovi, Macquarie University; Christine Lin, University of Sydney; Mark Hancock, Macquarie University; Petra Graham, Macquarie University; Simon French, Macquarie University
In a new study, we found that a program combining walking and education can effectively reduce the recurrence of low back pain.
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Chris Kirkland, Curtin University
Life depends on Earth’s ancient continental crust – but there are only a few places where remnants of it can still be seen today.
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Ian Parmeter, Australian National University
Israel has cogent reasons for wanting to eliminate the threat from Hezbollah, but previous interventions in Lebanon have come at a cost.
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Robert Barnes, York St John University
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Brendan Clift, The University of Melbourne
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Brianna Le Busque, University of South Australia
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Politics + Society
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Jeffrey McNeill, Massey University
Resource laws and processes have tried to keep politics out of decision making. But this technocratic approach carries its own problems. The challenge is getting the balance right.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Peter Malinauskas joined the podcast to talk about AUKUS, bans on children under 14 accessing social media, restricting most political donations and Peter Duttons Nuclear announcement.
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Health + Medicine
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Milad Haghani, UNSW Sydney
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Arts + Culture
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Alana Lentin, Western Sydney University
Anchuli Felicia King’s play American Signs at the Sydney Theatre Company thrusts us into the world of a campus hire at management consultancy ‘The Firm’.
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Books + Ideas
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David Rymer, University of the Sunshine Coast
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Jamal Barnes, Edith Cowan University
Claiming Hinduism represents India’s “true” identity, nationalists have targeted religious minorities and government critics, labelling them as threats to India.
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Business + Economy
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Marta Khomyn, University of Adelaide
Australian bitcoin ‘exchange traded funds’ may still find it hard to attract interest from large institutional investors, who often enjoy lower fees and greater liquidity in the US.
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