Australian One Nation leader calls for two nuclear reactors in Victoria

Australian One Nation leader Pauline Hanson recently stated that two nuclear reactors should be built on Australia's east coast. She also emphasized that the party's proposal differs from the nuclear power plan previously put forward by Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton.

Hanson made these remarks while campaigning in Victoria for the November state election. Her statements go beyond the party's existing public policy. Under the party's published policy, Australia should build one reactor at a site supported by community consultation. Hanson said nuclear reactors are "necessary to build," but the energy mix also needs to remain diverse, and she advocated for continuing to operate coal-fired power stations.

Previously, Dutton had proposed building seven commercial nuclear power plants by 2050, with the first plant planned to begin operation by 2036. The plan called for taxpayer-funded construction but failed to gain sufficient voter support ahead of the 2025 federal election. In that election, the Labor government led by Anthony Albanese was re-elected.

Warren Pickering, leader of One Nation Victoria, also stated that if One Nation wins control of the state government, it will push to repeal Victoria's ban on nuclear power plant construction, which has been in place since 1983. He said Victorians should have the opportunity to participate in the future development of nuclear technology, including new technologies such as thorium-based nuclear micro-reactors, or, in line with One Nation's federal policy, build nuclear facilities on Australia's east coast, making Victoria a beneficiary region.

Currently, Australia prohibits the development of nuclear power. To establish a nuclear power industry, relevant regulations, regulatory systems, engineering capabilities, and supply chains would all need to be advanced from the ground up. However, Australia has uranium resources and operates a research reactor at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) site near Sydney.