Chris Bowen flippantly claimed that nuclear power is the most expensive power in the world. However, the comparison against other renewable power systems conveniently forgets that nuclear power stations today have a > 60-year life span and need far less investment in network distribution or battery back up.

"The nuclear debate in Australia has entered a new phase. While opinion polls show a clear majority of Australians support nuclear power, there are still dyed-in-the-wool opponents who will not concede that issues such as radiation and waste disposal that once dogged the industry have been resolved. Defeated by the facts and public opinion, they have moved recently to create a false claim that nuclear costs too much, even the emerging new-generation small modular reactors.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen seems to be of this view. Perhaps he has been influenced by a report published by the CSIRO in July that concluded just that. While this institution deserves the highest respect for its work in science, regrettably its opinions on the economics of SMRs, which have the latest nuclear technology, are open to challenge."

I don't know Bowen personally, but he presents in public as someone on the verge of nervous breakdown. I don’t see how anyone could take him or anything he says seriously. He was probably Albanese’s first big mistake; the rest are coming.

Let's get back to coal, the cheapest there is, and we already have it. We'll be dead broke before nuclear-power could be up and running.

"that issues such as radiation and waste disposal that once dogged the industry have been resolved." Resolved by whom,

BTW hows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine going these days. "Fears nearby fighting could trigger a catastrophe in a country still haunted by the Chernobyl disaster."

SM should be guarding the reactors at Zaporizhzhia if there are no problems as he claims.

Nothing wrong with coal but everything's wrong with people who can't curb their excesses !
Sustainable use of coal is just that, sustainable !
Frivolous & excessive usage of every available commodity be it needed or not is what's contributing to climate change & causing the decline in the planet's health !
if anything should be curbed it's the selfish people among humans !
From parents & teachers who fail our young to scientists who fail the planet to war mongers & industrialists & megalomaniacs who pollute our environment for mere profit to please the just as selfish public everyone is guilty !

Australia has zero capacity to develop nuclear power thanks to the neglect of the major parties. If it were decided to develop nuclear power now, Australia would be at the end of a long queue.

What would make more sense would be to build modern high efficiency coal generation that could be converted to nuclear. This would allow a faster transition to nuclear power should some of the fourth gen reactors be proven viable.

On a global scale Australia's emission is below negligible, on a local scale the impact from pollution is already too high !
Bringing in more migrants who desert the mess they helped create in the countries of their birth & continuing the practice here is not helping the environment here either.
Nuclear power should be prioritised in Australia on a small scale with several plants spread over the continent assisting manufacturing rather than a huge one that is difficult to manage in the event of an emergency. Wind farms are too costly for the environment & fauna in general.