MELBOURNE, 24 January 2025: Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen today ruled out nuclear energy for Australia as being ‘too costly” and likely to push up power bills for households by $ 1,200 annually. Chris Bowen was answering to a question by South Asia Times (SAT) about Coalition leader Peter Dutton promoting nuclear power for Australia’s energy needs in the future and focussing it in the upcoming Federal elections.
The online media conference also attended by Assistant Multicultural Minister Julian Hill, focussed on a “practical approach” that nuclear energy will not work for Australia, as already there was hardly such an industry here. The small nuclear reactor in Sydney is sixty years old and that it may take about 20 years to make a start, Chris Bowen said.
“Our approach is non ideological and non moral”, he said.
Chris Bowen said, Australia has the best renewable resources in the world and solar power was good for the country.”
On a question about exporting Uranium and in return buying back energy in return, Chris Bowen said, was not possible as the issue was too late.
Minister Julian Hill, emphasised the need for correct facts about the nuclear issue to be disseminated among multicultural communities who speak many languages. The question of cost, time and surge in power bills, he said was important.
On the issue of Trump-like policies in Australia, Chris Bowen said, We will have policies which are suitable for Australia.