16 January 2024
Strong support for nuclear power in key Sydney federal seats
Voters in three key Sydney federal electorates have overwhelmingly indicated support for lifting the ban on nuclear power, and for nuclear power to be considered as part of Australia’s future energy mix according to new polling released by the NSW Minerals Council today.
The results show a clear majority of voters in the seats of McMahon, Wentworth and Bennelong support lifting the ban on nuclear power, and also support the idea of nuclear technology being considered as part of Australia’s future energy mix.
In Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s seat of McMahon the polling reveals 67 percent of voters support lifting Australia’s ban on nuclear power and 69 percent of voters support the use of nuclear energy.
Minister Bowen has previously described nuclear energy as ‘a fantasy wrapped in delusion’ and the ‘worst fit for Australia's energy needs.’
In the seat of Bennelong held by Labor’s Jerome Laxale, 68 percent of voters support lifting the ban on nuclear energy and 69 percent support the use of nuclear power.
Mr Laxale previously described the use of nuclear power as ‘fantasy’.
In the seat of Wentworth, held by Teal MP Allegra Spender, 68 percent of voters support both lifting the ban on nuclear energy and the development of nuclear power in Australia.
Ms Spender has previously stated that ‘repealing the ban now would take up valuable legislative time with no substantive beneficial impact for Australia.’
The polling also showed at least four in ten voters across the three electorates rated the Federal Government’s performance on energy policy as ‘bad’, with just three in ten voters rating the federal Government’s performance as ‘good’.
"A strong majority of voters in these key electorates are clearly willing to consider a future for nuclear power in Australia, despite the public opposition of their local MPs," NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said today
"With so many many voters in these key electorates also marking down the Federal Government's performance on energy policy and power prices, surely it's time for all options to be up for consideration."
"Lifting the ban on nuclear power that was introduced way back in the 1980s would help facilitate a proper discussion on the issue, and ensure all options are on the table in relation to Australia's energy future,” Mr Galilee said.
“Australia is among the top twenty most expensive countries in the world when it comes to paying for electricity1. With the cost of living biting across the nation, especially here in NSW, people are willing to support technology that will lock in affordable and reliable electricity for the future,” he said.
ENDS - Brad Emery | NSW Minerals Council | bemery@nswmining.com.au | 0450620254
Polling conducted between Dec 11-13 2023 - Sample sizes: Wentworth - 924, McMahon - 860, Bennelong - 816.
