New research shows many Australians support adding nuclear to the country’s energy mix as the Coalition continues to spruik its plan to build seven plants by 2050.
However, the responses were mixed when participants were quizzed on whether they would want to see a reactor in their state or region.
The News Corp survey polled 923 randomly selected people over the weekend in the areas home to ageing coal-fire power stations the Coalition has earmarked for development, as well as in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
About 60 per cent of them agreed nuclear power “has a place” in Australia’s energy mix.
“In every location, except Melbourne, there was majority support for an Australian nuclear energy industry,” the Daily Telegraph reported.
“But this backing fell away somewhat when respondents were specifically asked if they would be ‘comfortable with a nuclear reactor being built in your region’.”
Shadow finance minister Jane Hume spoke to Sky News Australia on Monday and described the Coalition’s plan as a “sensible, commonsense approach” to make sure Australia’s energy mix is balanced.
“Australians expect and indeed deserve cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy and that is the real issue here,” she said.
“Labor’s renewables-only approach, having all their eggs in one basket, is actually pushing up the price of energy.
“And we can see those reports coming out of Victoria today where the gas that is leaving the system is only going to make the problem worse.”
She then stressed nuclear energy under a Coalition government would be part of a wider selection of energy sources as the country works towards its net zero targets.
“The Coalition have said in the long term nuclear should be a part of a balanced energy mix that will in the long-term bring prices back down,” she said.
“This is just one part of our energy policy that we have announced in the past week, of course there is more to come.”
The Liberal Senator said the Opposition would have “more to say” on gas and renewables.
“This is a sensible, common-sense approach, making sure that our energy mix is balanced,” she said.
In the poll, one La Trobe Valley resident said the region had “no industry left” and that nuclear would provide job opportunities.
“It’s a viable option. I think that at the moment we actually need more resources to supply power,” a Melbourne resident said.
“It’s not very good for the environment,” another said in the survey.
“I think if they explained it properly it wouldn’t sound as good or be as popular.”