Labor announces a parliamentary inquiry into nuclear powerThe government-dominated House of Representatives committee will look at the viability of nuclear power. (Flickr: Rudolf Vlcek)An energy expert has welcomed Labor's decision to establish a parliamentary inquiry into nuclear power, saying open consideration of the technology is better than the federal government's current position of seeking to "pooh-pooh the whole thing".
Labor surprised the Coalition by announcing on Thursday that it will report no later than April 30 on the deployment of nuclear power, including small modular reactors.
Tony Wood, an energy specialist at the Grattan Institute, said "anything that begins to open up an adult conversation about nuclear power is a good thing".
"In some ways, it's better than what the government was doing, which is pooh-pooh the whole thing."
The government-dominated House of Representatives committee will look at deployment time frames, uranium transport, supply, storage and enrichment capability, water impacts, and costs and consequences for electricity affordability.
Labor hopes the inquiry — which the ABC understands was initiated by backbenchers led by Hunter Valley MP Dan Repacholi — will fill the information void left by the Coalition's repeated delays in releasing its planned nuclear policy or economic modelling.
Voters have 'many questions', Labor MP says
Mr Repacholi said voters in his electorate and around the nation have "many questions" about the opposition's plan to build several nuclear power stations.
"Whether they support or oppose the scheme, the questions raised by Australians show they want more details," he said.
"Right now, the information Australians need to fully understand the proposal is simply not there.
"Whether Australia's future energy needs will be met by incorporating nuclear, or whether our energy needs will be better served without nuclear power, is an important decision that must be made with accurate information and proper consideration."
Opposition sources said they are delighted by Labor's move as it provides a public platform to highlight arguments in favour of nuclear, though they also acknowledged the political risks if Labor dominates the proceedings.
Coalition MPs failed to expand the committee's terms of reference by including consideration of how nuclear power could support affordability, reliability and emissions reduction.
"It has taken two-and-a-half years for the Australian Labor Party and the Albanese government to make some form of an attempt to engage with the debate on the potential for nuclear energy in Australia," said Shadow Energy spokesman Ted O'Brien.
While he questioned whether the inquiry was "genuine or disingenuous", he said the opposition was ready to participate. "We come to the party," he said.
Dr Wood said the inquiry's short reporting deadline and the fact it is happening in the lead-up to the next federal election is "ridiculous and probably intentional".
"They're not going to resolve the differences fundamentally between the two sides of politics," he said, but added it was better than no inquiry.
If the idea of nuclear power was a "fairies-at-the-bottom of the garden thing, you'd say 'forget it'".
"But it is, as the opposition says, part of the mix in many countries, generally viable, generally safe, a technology that continues to improve, and it should play a role."
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