Snake

I don't believe you've researched the hazards of low-level radiation. You should. There is plenty of information on the web, written by eminent scientists warning of the dangers of LL radiation exposure.

The delay time for radiation cancers to emerge, makes it difficult to prove where these cancers originated. Again, the effects of radiation are insidious.

Difficulty in proving the source of a disease suits pro-nuke governments very well.

The issue of LL radiation exposure is a serious public health hazard, though exposure to pollution is generally regarded by governments as "collateral damage."

If you really want to know how the regulators "regulate" in this nation, log onto the WA parliament and call up the Education and Health Committee then the "Cause and Effect of Lead Pollution in the Esperance Area."

Only by a citizen reporting the deaths of native birds, did we happen to learn of the extent of this catastrophe. 4,000 birds dead, ocean contaminated with lead, as well as rain-water tanks not to mention high lead readings in babies, children and adults.

Then we accessed mines' inspectors reports, performed a couple of years ago, to learn lead level readings from tests conducted on the miners at Magellan lead mines revealed some were sufficiently high to kill a brown cow!

This is a disgraceful example of how the Department of Environment and Conservation and the DOH has been captured for years by mining industries and the DEC's total disregard for the environment and public health is scandalous.

In fact, Bob Maumill on Radio 6PR in Perth, was so alarmed, he vehemently declared that the culprits should be gaoled!

Anyone who trusts these departments to protect them from serious pollution in the advent of nuclear power, must surely be living in La La Land or are totally ignorant! One need only research the spills, leaks and accidents which have occurred in our very own uranium industry.

Supplying drinking water to uranium miners which was 400 times in excess of the recommended "safe" level, simply can't be fixed by a pill!

Forget the ships for reasons aforementioned.

There are upwards of 600 nuclear power reactors world wide; many countries use them as their main base load energy supply (or supplement it in high proportion).

The new breed of reactor is much safer and more secure and once operational they emit negligible GHG.

However, they are very expensive (about $5 billion) and we would need 15 to 20 reactors to satisfy our base load power requirements

Nuclear waste disposal is still an issue, as is nuclear proliferation of enriched uranium.

Vast volumes of water are required for their operation.

They should be close to the major electricity grid.

Construction will generate huge amounts of GHG (e.g. cement and concrete manufacture).

A regulatory lead-in time of about 15 years is required.

Low grade uranium resources are also finite.

Australia is a large country with regionalised population centres. Where do we put them?

What do the insurance companies have to say?

I agree we should mine and export uranium. I don’t agree we should go nuclear power – yet.

We can go geothermal as an alternative now, why isn’t the government doing more in this area?

Today, having to renew my INSURANCE policy I checked out the exclusion regarding nuclear, chemical and biological incidents. There is a total exclusion of any insurance cover, meaning you have no insurance against any accident where some truck were to carry such materials, or its waste, though streets and is involved in an accident.
Now, don’t argue about the transporter having to have insurance, as enough rough transporters have none.
What we risk every day is that if a truck carrying such waste or other materials is involved in an accident then if your residence is affected you likely loose the lot but still may be obligated to pay the mortgage!
So, those in favour of this kind of material should consider what if the stuff is transported near their property and an accident occurs affecting their property.
Having been trained in the armed forces in nuclear, chemical and biological war fare I can assure you living nearby or living a few kilometres away makes little difference to nuclear waste, etc.
Therefore, before you contemplate to have some flotilla of nuclear time bombs floating of the coast, you still need to consider the dangers to transport material to and from the ships overland to depositories and waste holding sites!
No one can guarantee that trucks that carry such dangerous items will not be involved in an accident!
And, whenever State parliament legislate do you really think they bother to consider the financial harm it may present to you if there is an accident, even if kilometres away, that still affects your property making it unsuitable for living?
So, even if you were not personally affected in health, your living conditions and your financial position could be devastated, and that also of your family!

And, where in the constitution is there any power for the Commonwealth of Australia to override State legislation? As a “constitutionalist” I be interested for you to point out when was there a successful referendum held to provide that legislative power