What Australians really think of nuclear power

Monash University Media Release

Support for nuclear power among Australians has fallen, with the numbers of people wanting to maintain Australia’s ban growing since Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced his nuclear power policy in 2024, the latest National Climate Action Survey shows.

The survey, in its fourth year and conducted by Griffith University’s Climate Action Beacon in partnership with the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub (MCCCRH), asked more than 4,000 respondents a wide range of questions on their attitudes to climate change, extreme weather and different energy options.

Griffith University Associate Professor Kerrie Foxwell-Norton and Monash University Professor Libby Lester were lead collaborators on the survey.

“The survey reveals that the logic of investment and risk in nuclear power is not passing most Australians’ pub tests.  And according to the most recent CSIRO calculations, nor should it,” Associate Professor Foxwell-Norton said.

According to Professor Lester, the Director of MCCCRH, “The survey is a peerless, independent source of information about Australians’ climate actions, attitudes and beliefs as the nation – and the world – embarks upon societal transformations to a sustainable low carbon future.”

Among the key initial findings:

• More Australians want the existing ban on nuclear power to remain

In 2023, 51 per cent wanted to keep Australia’s ban on nuclear energy. In 2024, that had risen to 59 per cent.  The numbers who were against bans on nuclear power fell from 34 per cent in 2023 to 30 percent in 2024.

• Women are more likely to want to keep the current ban on nuclear

When asked about keeping the existing Australian ban on using nuclear power, only 18 per cent of women were in favour of lifting the ban. In contrast, twice as many men (35.9 per cent) wanted the ban lifted. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of women wanted the ban to stay, as opposed to just 51 per cent of men.

• More people say risks of nuclear power far outweigh the benefits

Those who said the benefits of nuclear power far outweighed the risks fell from 24.5per cent support in 2023 to 22 per cent in 2024. Those who said the risks of nuclear power far outweighed the benefits rose from 21.9 per cent in 2023 to 26 per cent in 2024.

• Most respondents would not want a nuclear power station in their area

More than half (54.8 per cent) of respondents would be very or extremely concerned if a nuclear power plant was placed near them. Only 11 per cent said they’d be comfortable with a nuclear power plant nearby. Even fewer wanted a coal mine near them (10.8 percent). Conversely, people felt more comfortable with solar or wind in their area, with 54 per cent having no concerns with wind farms. This rose to 65 per cent for solar farms.

• Most Australians back financial assistance for coal mining communities to transition and for rural landowners to host clean energy infrastructure

Eighty-one per cent of respondents said they would support assistance to communities relying on coal mining, and 84 per cent supported the distribution of financial incentives to rural landowners for hosting clean energy structures.

• Support to phase out gas for all new homes and public buildings is increasing

Sixty per cent of respondents said they would support a requirement that all new homes, residential divisions and public buildings be powered by electricity, thereby phasing out gas appliances and heating, up from 59 per cent in 2023.

“Australians’ support for renewable energy sources like solar and wind show a nation ready to tackle carbon emissions and move away from fossil fuels,’’ said Associate Professor Foxwell-Norton.

She said the support for communities to transition away from coal mining was significant.

“The oft cited divide between urban centre and regional and rural areas where these coal mines are located is politically expedient, wedge politics. It is a politics that overlooks Australians and their relationship between places,” she said.

“With a reliance on land and seasons for productivity and livelihoods, changes in weather patterns and disaster events are felt acutely in regional and rural areas. Regional voters are more supportive of climate action because it is literally, their everyday experience.’’

The National Climate Action Survey samples 4,000 Australians each year and is the only climate survey in Australia that collects longitudinal data. The full results of the 2024 survey will be released in September. Previous reports are available here.

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969