Don’t trust AI on immigration issues
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With an election coming up and new debates about building boutique nuclear reactors in Australia, Midnight Oil frontman and former Minister of the Environment Peter Garrett speaks, explaining why this new nuclear proposal down under is a terrible idea.
A nonpaywalled version of this article can be accessed here: https://archive.ph/VPmBs
Guy
I don’t really understand why energy is such a debate down under.
I’m in Victoria - gas is banned on new builds in this state. It’s not possible for new homes to be connected to gas now. I don’t think it’s right that people don’t have a choice. The gas mains are still there, existing homes can use them.
I actually think nuclear is a great idea. It’s basically the only option that can provide enough power 24/7 to replace gas and coal power plants. Solar and wind are great but it isn’t sunny and windy 24/7.
Solar is already quite popular and I would say solar batteries will become popular when the prices drop, nuclear can fill in the gaps without pumping CO2 into the atmosphere.
Electricity isn’t too expensive at the moment either we pay about $120aud a month for 2 people in a 2-bedroom unit and we aren’t particularly good at reducing our electricity usage. We currently don’t have solar and I presume the insulation here isn’t good cos the property is 60ish years old
I’m working at the next election. Counting the votes will be interesting. It always is.
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Garrett, in the piece linked above, points out that this is exactly what nuclear will NOT do based on anticipated timelines.
Guy
The costs don’t add up for nuclear power… could there be another reason for Dutton’s nuclear energy push??
The last time an Australian government considered building a reactor (other than a research reactor) was to develop nuclear weapons, a change in leadership ended the project, they had already improved a road and cleared the site before the project was cancelled.
So, should Australia build its own nuclear arsenal? I think the answer is, ‘Yes, if it needs to.’ That’s a big ‘if’—indeed, a series of big ‘ifs’: if the regional strategic environment becomes appreciably darker; if US extended nuclear deterrence is no longer available, or patently incredible; and, perhaps just as importantly, if there’s bipartisan Australian acceptance of the need for an indigenous arsenal.
This was written in 2019… the first of the ‘ifs’ is already a concern, the second is starting to be questioned. The third, bipartisanship…that might develop from the first two ‘ifs’.
The last time around
Jervis Bay Nuclear Power Plant - Wikipedia.
In 1969, the Australian government proposed to the New South Wales government that a 500 MWe nuclear power station should be built on Commonwealth territory and connected to the New South Wales grid, with electricity generation and distribution being a state responsibility under the Australian constitution. Possible sites were the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay. The plan, supported by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, was for a reactor design that could generate weapons-grade plutonium, possibly reflecting Australia’s long-term post-World War II interest in acquiring nuclear weapons.
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I often do that too each time. It’s good money.
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Easiest money I’ve ever made 
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If you think this is extreme, you should see what some Australians post on forumosa!!!
It’s enough to frighten Canadians into a solemn belief that we are indeed the Kiwis of North America.
Guy
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