Anti-nuclear movement in Australia facts for kids

Australia does not have any nuclear power stations. The government has generally been against using nuclear power in Australia. However, Australia does have a small research reactor called OPAL in Sydney. Australia also sells uranium to other countries.

Selling uranium and talking about nuclear issues has often caused public discussions. The anti-nuclear movement in Australia has a long history. It started in 1972–73 when people debated French nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean. Later, in 1976–77, there was a big discussion about mining uranium in Australia.

Why People Worry About Nuclear Power

The Ranger Uranium Mine in Kakadu National Park

An aerial view of the Ranger 3 site inside Kakadu National Park

People who are against nuclear power and uranium mining in Australia have several concerns. They worry about how nuclear energy affects the world. They also question if nuclear power is the best energy source. Instead, they often suggest a sustainable energy plan.

Nuclear Weapons and Safety

One of the biggest worries about nuclear power is that it could help spread nuclear weapons. For example, a report from 1976 about the Ranger mine said that the nuclear power industry was accidentally increasing the risk of nuclear war. This was seen as the most serious danger.

Health Concerns

People are also worried about the health risks from nuclear materials. This is a worldwide concern because of accidents like the Chernobyl disaster. In Australia, there were also worries about how nuclear tests in Australia and the South Pacific affected people's health. A doctor named Helen Caldicott became a well-known campaigner against nuclear power because of these health concerns.

Is Nuclear Power Expensive?

The cost of nuclear power has also been a reason for anti-nuclear campaigns. Critics say that nuclear power is too expensive for Australia. This is especially true because Australia has a lot of coal.

Looking to the Future

From the point of view of the anti-nuclear movement, many problems with nuclear power today are similar to those in the 1970s. Accidents at nuclear reactors can still happen. Also, there is still no clear way to safely get rid of long-lasting radioactive waste. The spread of nuclear weapons continues to be a concern.

On the other hand, other energy options have become much better. Energy efficiency and renewable energy (like wind power) have been greatly developed and are now used widely.

See Also

• Anti-nuclear movement in the United States
• Nuclear energy policy

Images for kids

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  Radium Hill, a former mine in South Australia. It operated from 1906 to 1961 and was Australia's first uranium mine.

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  Anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott

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  Australian anti-nuclear campaigner Jim Green at Melbourne's GPO in March 2011

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  Australian Conservation Foundation anti-nuclear campaigner, Dave Sweeney (2014)

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  Uncle Kevin Buzzacott (2014)

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  Tilman Ruff AM is an Australian medical doctor who focuses on the need to get rid of nuclear weapons.