25 nuclear reactors by 2050!

	Nuclear.wilderness.org.au

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!".

Dr Switkowski didn't want to comment on Australia accepting foreign nuclear waste, saying it was too early to deal with this issue. There's no doubt that the government wants the public to ignore it too, until it's too late. That's why The Wilderness Society is determined to ensure that nuclear waste is centre stage in the nuclear debate.

Alec Marr outside the Parliamement House

Alec Marr, National Campaigns Director for The Wilderness Society, said after the release of the report: “The Prime Minister has said he wants a nuclear industry in Australia but what he isn't saying is that Australia is being lined up to become the world's nuclear waste dump.

“This is happening in Australia at a time when the United States is facing a nuclear waste crisis, with the failure of its proposed national high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to open due to environmental and safety concerns,” Mr Marr said.

“It is more than 60 years since the first atom bomb was made but there is still no safe, long term solution to the nuclear waste anywhere in the world.”

Mr Marr joined Greenpeace and the Australian Conservation Foundation at Parliament House to speak to the media about the environment movement’s strong opposition to the nuclear industry in Australia.

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)