Gina Rinehart calls for nuclear power in Australia

Australia’s richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, has joined the growing number of voices calling for a change in government policy with regard to introducing nuclear power into the nation’s energy mix.

Speaking at the “Bush Summit” gathering in Perth this week, Ms Rinehart told the audience that nuclear power is a more efficient and practical option for Australia.

“Let’s not upset many farmers with bird killing wind generators and massive solar panels stretches and bring on clean, safe nuclear energy please Australia,” she told the congregation.

The mining magnate also hit out at the cost of proposed net zero policies, stating that the cost of paying for such things as installing solar panels, purchasing electric vehicles and machinery, could force farmers off the land.

This would in turn lead to an increase in the cost of produce in supermarkets and possibly create chronic food shortages.

The mining magnate also suggested that residents in Australia’s vast outback would welcome further installations of “huge” batteries for when the sun doesn’t shine.

Federal opposition leading the nuclear power push

The inclusion of nuclear power in the Australian energy system is also receiving a strong push from the Federal coalition party.

A switch to nuclear energy has now become a major policy statement for the Federal coalition, with Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien, a major proponent of the move.

Mr O’Brien is pushing out his argument behind the “Time To Talk Nuclear” social media program, declaring that Australia needs to keep up with other leading nations in giving nuclear power strong consideration.

The coalition says nuclear power can provide a clean energy answer to Australia’s need to reduce its CO2 emissions and has highlighted the potential to replace the nation’s significant coal-fired power plants.

Major uranium resources

Australia currently has the world’s largest economically demonstrated resources of uranium and is the world’s third largest uranium producer, but does not have any plans for developing a domestic nuclear power industry due to policy restrictions.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also spoken out strongly in support of nuclear power and even revealed plans where a number of small modular reactors could be installed on the sites of ageing coal-fired power plants and using transmission systems already in place on Australia’s east coast.

A number of leaders are also calling for new gathering of political parties to reconsider the current stance.