Media release

From:

BACKGROUND BRIEFING – Tuesday 16 June 2015 at 12noon AEST Online

*RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE - see link below*

Nuclear power is a divisive issue around the world. On one hand it's touted by some as the answer to climbing greenhouse gas emissions, while on the other, questions still remain over the experiences of Fukushima and Chernobyl. In Australia, owner of the largest uranium reserves in the world, the divide is no different. Some states are looking to embrace it, with South Australia setting up a royal commission earlier in the year to investigate what role it could play in the nuclear fuel cycle. While other states, such as Queensland, look set to avoid it.

Today (June 16), the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) will examine the pros, cons and policy surrounding the peaceful use of nuclear power by Australia at a workshop in Adelaide. Listen in as three speakers from the workshop join us in an online briefing to discuss Australia's potential nuclear future.

The briefing will discuss the following issues:

• The case against nuclear power - Comparing the reliability and economics of renewables and nuclear
• The case for nuclear power - Should Australia prepare to consider nuclear to meet its energy requirements?
• Safety concerns - Managing the risks of theft, sabotage and proliferation

SPEAKERS:

• Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, Deputy Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales
• Ben Heard, Doctoral Candidate at the University of Adelaide and Director, ThinkClimate Consulting
• Dr Robert Floyd, Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office

DATE: Tuesday16 June 2015
START TIME: 12noon AEST 
DURATION: 51 minutes
VENUE: Online