As pre-polling opens in the federal election leading Australian civil society groups have launched a joint statement calling for an end to any plans for domestic nuclear power.
The call has seen major trade union, faith, environment, First Nation and public health bodies unite in support of the clean energy transition and opposition to the nuclear industry playing a spoiling role in this transition.
The statement is supported by a diverse range of groups including the ACTU, Electrical Trades Union, Greenpeace, Uniting Church, Solar Citizens, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, Doctors for the Environment, Friends of the Earth and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
It highlights that:
- Nuclear power is too slow, costly and inflexible to play any meaningful role in decarbonisation efforts. Nuclear also brings unique risks and long-lived wastes.
- Given the environmental, economic and human urgency of addressing climate change and advancing the energy transition we must not allow nuclear promotion to cause any further complication or delay.
- Nuclear costs. In all ways, and always. Australia cannot afford this delay.
- As well as the start of pre-polling, April 22 is also Earth Day. The 2025 theme of this long-standing global day of action is Our Power, Our Planet and includes an international call for the promotion of renewable energy sources with a view to tripling clean electricity production around the world.
Comments attributable re the statement:
Dave Sweeney - Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear analyst (0408 317 812)
"This statement unites diverse organisations representing millions of Australians in a common and clear call against nuclear power. Our energy future is renewable, not radioactive".
"Nuclear is one of the major policy differences in this election and our organisations will be working to highlight the costs, risks and unsuitability of this costly and risky energy option".
Dr Jim Green – Nuclear campaigner, Friends of the Earth Australia (0417 318 368)
"From Perth to Penrith and Darwin to Devonport Australians are cautious and concerned about nuclear power – and this election we are urging them to say no".
"Our country is blessed with renewable energy options which are demonstrably cheaper, safer, faster and are already powering around 45% of our homes and workplaces. As the coal era ends we don't have time to waste and we don't want radioactive waste".
AUSTRALIAN CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE 22 APRIL 2025
We, the undersigned Australian Civil Society organisations are united in support for the clean energy transition and opposition to the nuclear industry playing a spoiling role in this transition.
Nuclear power is too slow, costly and inflexible to play any meaningful role in
decarbonisation efforts. Nuclear also brings unique risks and long-lived wastes.
Given the environmental, economic and human urgency of addressing climate change and advancing the energy transition we must not allow nuclear promotion to cause any further complication or delay.
Australia is moving purposefully away from centralised fossil fuel combustion and toward distributed renewable energy generation and storage. In 2025, 45% of Australia's electricity is generated from renewable energy. This capacity is proven, delivering and expanding rapidly.
Despite this, a coordinated campaign is currently being waged to undermine public support for this decarbonisation effort. The last thing Australia needs now is nuclear distraction and delay.
We have been fortunate to learn from the world's experience with nuclear power. We understand why its role in global energy systems and its contribution to global electricity production has been in decline for decades. Its legacy is one of underperformance, burgeoning cost, intractable health impacts and long-lived radioactive wastes.
As the former Australian Chief Scientist Dr. Alan Finkel said, "Any call to go directly from coal to nuclear is effectively a call to delay decarbonisation of our electricity system by 20 years", and Climate Change Authority analysis highlights increased emissions under the nuclear scenario.
Nuclear costs. In all ways, and always. Australia cannot afford this delay.
We are united in our support for real climate action through the clean energy transition and in our opposition to false nuclear promises.
