This debate could really go nuclear

Summaries - Australian Financial Review
Saturday 26/9/2009 Page: 26

Ziggy Switkowksi, chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and former Telstra boss, says that due to there being 'no alternative to nuclear energy' it is 'inevitable.' Those who share this view include Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce and head of the Australian Workers Union, Paul Howes. Richard Corkish of the Centre for Renewable Energy at the University of New South Wales disagrees asking 'How can nuclear energy be the answer to our problems' in reference to the 15 years it would take to bring a nuclear energy station to life.

A similar opinion comes from the Climate Institute Australia and environment group E3G who place us in the weakest position of any developed nation to participate in a clean energy market. Further division can also be found in Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's belief that the future lies in a combination of renewable and clean coal energy sources. Recently the government's stance saw a request by the owners of Australian Nuclear Energy (who include executives present and past from Fairfax Media and Normandy Poseiden Mining plus Hugh Morgan formerly of Western Mining and now of the Business Council of Australia) to deregister the company.

Trouble obtaining materials to build a nuclear plant also caused frustration with Mr Morgan commenting that 'If you want to build one of these things, it's not like going down to Wal-Mart.' Elsewhere Energy and Minerals Australia are confident of signing contracts to export uranium overseas by 2011 while Energy Resources of Australia Jabiluka mine in Kakadu National Park has been decommissioned following a dispute with the Mirrar people. Last years saw the formation of 'an Indigenous Dialogue Group' by Australian Uranium Association to find a way the two parties could work together.