Pressure Mounts on Australia for Rejecting Nuclear Pact

The federal government’s decision against joining a pact with allies, including AUKUS partners, to accelerate the development of civilian nuclear energy remained a focal point in Parliament, dominating question time for the second consecutive day.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton sought an explanation from Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles on the reasons for Australia’s decision to skip the agreement.

Dutton highlighted that at the ongoing COP29, six additional nations endorsed the declaration to triple nuclear energy by 2050, joining 25 others, including the United States, the UK, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, and South Korea.

He said that those nations are committed to reducing emissions and delivering energy at a reasonable cost.

“Why is the Albanese government not signing up to the same agreement?” Dutton asked.

Marles reiterated the government’s position, stating that “Australia has no plans to adopt the technology domestically.”

He added that Australia does not have a civil nuclear energy service fund, “and nor do we seek to establish one.”

“The reason is because to do so would be to pursue the single most expensive form of electricity in the world today,” he said.

Renewables vs Nuclear Energy Debate

Marles also dismissed Dutton’s nuclear energy plan, saying, “There would be no prospect of any piece of electricity entering into the grid for two decades.”

“What we’re talking about is at max, 4 percent of the electricity grid being contributed in 20 years … the most expensive form of electricity,” he said.

Instead, Marles pointed out that Australia committed to tripling the world’s renewable energy capacity when it joined 132 other countries in 2023.

“We understand that the cheapest form of electricity in the world today is firm renewable energy, and that is what’s being pursued by countries around the world,” Marles said.

Australia’s abstention from the agreement comes amid growing political tensions between Labor and the Coalition over Australia’s energy future.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, attending the UN climate summit in Baku, has strongly opposed nuclear technology, arguing that it would prolong the reliance on coal power emissions until nuclear energy becomes a feasible option, which could take a decade or more.

Conversely, Dutton maintains that nuclear power would diversify Australia’s energy mix, reduce dependence on coal and gas, and position the country as a global leader in clean energy.