New South Wales (NSW) Shadow Health Minister Matt Kean has stepped down from his ambassador position at the Coalition for Conservation (C4C), citing the organisation’s direction with an increasing focus on nuclear power in the electricity system.
In a letter addressed to the C4C Chair Larry Anthony, the former NSW energy minister said that he previously raised his concerns about the organisation’s conservations advocacy for nuclear power but were dismissed.
“It is disappointing that an organisation which started with such good intentions is participating in a campaign with the apparent purpose and desired effect of undermining the Australian energy transition and responsible climate action,” Mr. Kean said.
Mr. Kean recalled how he was an enthusiastic supporter of the network when it started, arguing it was the Coalition government that saved the Great Barrier Reef from oil drilling, stopped whaling, established the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, and put up the national parks and wildlife service.
However, Mr. Kean no longer agrees with the C4C’s current direction, which is advocating for the consideration of uranium mining and exploration across all Australian territories. Currently, uranium mining is only allowed in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia while exploration is allowed in NSW.
This is despite Australia having the world’s largest uranium reserves with around one-third of global resources. It is also the world’s third largest uranium producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada.
Under existing legislation, Australia exports uranium to 42 countries under “nuclear non-proliferation” arrangements to ensure uranium is only used for peaceful purposes.
“While I recognise that one cannot rule out nuclear playing a constructive role in the Australian electricity system in the distant future, the reality is that there is no feasible pathway to play any material role in helping Australia replace our coal-fired power stations in line with the climate science,” Mr. Kean said.
He explained that large-scale nuclear reactors are expensive and slow to deliver and that Australia does not have the industry base, skilled labour force, regulatory architecture, or social license for the rollout of nuclear power stations at a pace required to meet climate goals.
Meanwhile, C4C maintained it was committed to protecting the environment amid its push for uranium exploration and mining.
Climate Council Stands Against Nuclear
Last month, the Climate Council made its stance that nuclear power was not suitable for Australia.The council said that over one-third of the country was now powered by renewables and that initiatives such as the Capacity Investment Scheme were expected to result in 82 percent renewable energy by the end of this decade.
Aside from the hefty cost it would take to build nuclear power stations, the council emphasised that nuclear power is non-renewable and that it poses risks for people, animals, the environment, and the economy.
“Unlike coal and gas, no greenhouse gas pollution is created in the operation of the nuclear reactor. However, all other steps involved in producing nuclear power—from mining to construction, decommissioning and waste management—result in greenhouse gas pollution,” the council said.
The CSIRO’s GenCost report is the primary source outlining how nuclear is the most expensive clean energy option in Australia’s net zero transition.
In an analysis of the report by nuclear energy expert Oscar Archer, he argues that CSIRO was comparing total building costs of nuclear compared to component costs of renewables.
