The Prime Minister has got the nuclear report he wanted. The pro-nuclear panel released its report on Nov. 21 and found that Australia could have 25 nuclear power reactors by 2050, a nuclear fuel production plant and a high-level nuclear waste dump.
The consequences of this are: Australia would have up to 45,000 tonnes of high level nuclear waste from the 25 power stations, lasting for hundreds of thousands of years; Australia would have 25 potential terrorist targets, close to population centres; and Australia would contribute to global instability by having the technical potential to produce nuclear weapons.
Dr Switkowski, chair of the nuclear inquiry panel, admitted that nuclear reactors would need to be close to markets – meaning cities – and would need to be located along rivers or the coastline, because they consume large amounts of water.
He said that large areas of Australia are geologically suitable for a high-level deep geological waste dump. Indeed, when asked about a suitable location for a dump, Dr Switkowski said enthusiastically: “take your pick!”. read more»
Further information
Read more about the nuclear issue please visit our Nuclear Resource Special Site
External links
Read scientist’s fact sheets at Energyscience.org.au
Opinion: A ‘greenwash’ for the nuclear industry (SMH) | Nuclear not the answer (The Australian)
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