Australia out of nuclear effort
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Australia has rejected a US-UK nuclear energy deal, citing domestic inapplicability.
Signed during the COP29 climate summit, the agreement aims to fast-track nuclear innovation for decarbonising heavy industries like steel and aviation.
Led by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, the initiative hopes to make cutting-edge reactors operational by 2030.
It replaces the Generation IV International Forum, a collaboration Australia joined in 2017, but excludes Russia.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has announced that the government would not join the pact.
“Because we do not have a civil nuclear industry, this agreement does not apply to us,” he said.
It came after the UK stated that Australia was “expected” to participate, a claim later retracted.
A British official called the inclusion of Australia in the UK’s official statement an error, but said there would be ongoing renewable energy cooperation between the nations.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called the government’s decision an “international embarrassment” that diminishes Australia’s global credibility.
The Minerals Council of Australia accused Labor of outdated thinking.
“These are the same allies we’re working with on nuclear submarines,” said the lobby’s CEO, Tania Constable.
“Yet we refuse to support a zero-emissions technology that could benefit global decarbonisation.”
Labor remains firmly against nuclear energy.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said nuclear is economically unviable given the country’s ample renewable resources.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has criticised nuclear power as costly and slow, and warned it would extend reliance on coal and increase carbon emissions.
Despite Australia’s abstention, the US and UK plan to triple global nuclear energy output by 2050.
The pact pools billions for research among allies, aiming to decarbonise industries and improve energy security.