Anthony Albanese describes nuclear ambitions as a 'fantasy'

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has dismissed a report from coalition MPs urging support for new nuclear technologies as 'fantasy'.

Anthony Albanese is visiting mine workers on his first Queensland tour as Labor leader.

Anthony Albanese is visiting mine workers on his first Queensland tour as Labor leader. Source: AAP

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has described the call from coalition MPs to lift a longstanding ban on nuclear energy as "fantasy".

A 230-page report released on Friday by chairman of the parliament's energy committee and Liberal MP Ted O'Brien said nuclear energy should be considered as part of Australia's future energy mix.

The government-dominated committee called for further work on nuclear technology and the partial lifting of the current moratorium on nuclear energy to allow for "new and emerging nuclear technologies".
Mr O'Brien said nuclear energy would also complement the government's climate policy.

"If we're serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can't simply ignore this zero-emissions base-load technology," he said.

A dissenting report by Labor MPs said there was no economic case for pursuing nuclear energy and safety issues had not been addressed.

"Nuclear power has never overcome the dangers that we have seen played out around the world time after time," Mr Albanese told reporters on Friday after finishing off his week-long trip to Queensland.
"This is a fantasy from the government in order to avoid the real decisions that are needed of having a national energy policy that drives down emissions, drives down prices, and creates jobs."

The inquiry, sought by Energy Minister Angus Taylor, received more than 300 submissions.

Greens spokeswoman for nuclear Sarah Hanson-Young said the committee's report should "alarm all Australians".

She said the report opens the door to nuclear power stations and subsequent waste dumps here in Australia.

"This is absurd at best and dangerous at worst," she said in a statement.


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