1. Return to state ownership of electricity
Australia had a reliable, world-leading electricity system when it was entirely government-owned, but since privatisation it has become chaotic and unreliable. The Commonwealth government should lead the states back to public ownership. While scientists around the world have been making great advances in all forms of energy generation, storage and distribution, including nuclear energy, Australia’s major parties are only interested in ideological battles. Energy policy, vital to a country’s economy, must not be politicised by politicians appealing to competing interests of private investors, whether in fossil fuels or renewables; with public ownership private interests do not get to participate in, and distort, the technology debate.
2. Repeal the prohibition on nuclear power
Australia’s prohibition on nuclear energy makes us the only country in the world that denies itself the possibility of further developing not only one of the major energy technologies, but one which the EU has classified as “green energy”. In recent decades, while the renewable energy sector has advanced remarkably owing to the scientists’ tremendous work, great progress has also been achieved in making nuclear reactors exceedingly safe, and in reprocessing nuclear waste.
Renewables were labelled “too expensive” and “unreliable” not long ago, while other countries worked tirelessly to make it more affordable and efficient. Now the other side of the political spectrum is labelling nuclear energy “too costly”. As our politicians indulge themselves in political debates, others are working on developing new technologies. Nuclear energy, particularly nuclear fusion, could be future-defining.
The ACP believes that the same open-mindedness that was afforded to renewable energy must be given to nuclear energy, so that Australia at least has a chance to catch up and hopefully lead the world.
