Overview

• After a September tour of US facilities and meetings with experts, Dan Tehan described heavy investment and rapid developments in nuclear technology.
• He said nuclear could operate alongside renewables in Australia and urged lifting the federal moratorium as a necessary first step.
• An opposition energy policy review led by Tehan remains open to recommitting to nuclear options, including microreactors and small modular reactors.
• Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie defended the Coalition’s prior nuclear stance, arguing it was not a key factor in the party’s election defeat.
• Labor continues to reject domestic nuclear power in favor of renewables and gas, and current laws still prohibit new reactors.