Lets put aside the wisdom or effectiveness of cutting CO2 for the moment. If the government really wants to cut carbon emissions then nuclear power has to be considered. The Rudd government wants to have no bar of nukes, although some Labor party leaders such as Bob Carr support its introduction. Nothing is going to happen unless both major parties agree to support a nuclear industry, however the Opposition may be moving to a pro nukes position:
OPPOSITION resources spokesman Ian Macfarlane will lead a partyroom push to persuade colleagues to consider adding nuclear power to Australia's greenhouse abatement arsenal.
He said last month's Liberal leadership switch from Brendan Nelson to Malcolm Turnbull had left the party's policy on nuclear energy in limbo but he strongly believed the nuclear option had to be explored in case clean coal technology failed to live up to its promise.
"There hasn't been that discussion in the last week but no doubt there will be," Mr Macfarlane told The Australian. "I'll be arguing that in the partyroom at some point, and I expect that I will be supported."....
If we are to get nuclear power stations then the question becomes what sort should we get? How about a small modular reactor? There's considerable interest in small nuclear reactors that can power a small town, ideal for remote communities. Reactors like these can be mass produced and plugged int the grid. I would think they would be ideal for Australia as we would be able to start in a small way and just expand with demand.
Mr Macfarlane expects to receive support from Julie Bishop which is unsurprising since she comes from resource rich Western Australia. Towns in WA could be good candidate for our first power nuke.
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