Federal Nationals Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie, last night hosted a Nuclear Energy Forum in Taree and will host another in Lorn at Maitland this evening.
Guest speaker at both events is Robert Parker, Founder of Nuclear For Climate Australia, and former president of Australian Nuclear Association.
Last night's session at Club Taree was attended by around 180 people who heard the latest information about nuclear energy and its potential to provide Australians with cheap, reliable, and zero-emissions electricity.
Dr Gillespie has been a strong advocate in the Federal Parliament for nuclear energy, having established the Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries several years ago in an effort to provide MPs with the opportunity to hear from world-leading experts from Australia and abroad to better understand the new technology that has been developed and rolled out across the world.
"I am very familiar with the benefits nuclear technology has been able to deliver; particularly as a former medical specialist, the advances in nuclear medicine that have saved so many lives," Dr Gillespie said.
"After taking the time to hear from world-leading experts in nuclear energy at facilities in Canada and the United States, I believe Australia needs nuclear energy not only as a source of cheaper baseload power to secure our energy grid, but also with its zero emissions."
As the Minister for Regional Health, Dr Gillespie was responsible for oversight of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) which is the Australian Government's primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety.
"Australia is already a nuclear nation. We are a developer and exporter of nuclear medical technology and we have a state-of-the-art reactor operating right in the middle of Sydney staffed by some of the world's best experts. Over the course of the next decade, we will be operating Defence Force Submarines through the AUKUS initiative. We have a third of the world's uranium reserves. It only makes sense to develop nuclear energy," he said.
The Federal Coalition recently announced that if re-elected, Australia would incorporate nuclear technology among its energy mix of renewables and gas, utilising the existing energy grid and replacing seven coal-fired power plants that have been retired or due for closure with new nuclear plants.
Guest Speaker Robert Parker first discovered his passion for nuclear when studying his Masters in Civil Engineering. Following his passion he went on to attain a Masters in Nuclear Science at ANU. He is not only the founder of Nuclear For Climate Australia, but a small business owner working on projects across the globe and has 40 years' experience in major civil infrastructure projects such as dams, rail, freeway, and water projects.
