Hunter MP Dan Repacholi to Play Key Role in New Inquiry on Nuclear Energy

12 October 2024

Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, has been appointed Chair of a newly established House Select Committee tasked with investigating the potential role of nuclear energy in Australia’s energy landscape. The committee aims to provide detailed insights and expert analysis on nuclear power, including small modular reactors, to address growing public interest and questions.

Joining Repacholi on the committee are fellow Labor MPs Graham Perrett (Moreton), Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan), and Matt Burnell (Spence). The formation of the committee comes in response to constituents nationwide seeking clarity on the Opposition’s proposal to incorporate nuclear energy into the national grid.

“People in the Hunter and across Australia have many questions about what nuclear energy could mean for them,” Repacholi said. “This inquiry is about getting the facts on the table so everyone can understand the implications for our energy future.”

The committee will explore a range of issues, including deployment time frames, uranium transport and storage, environmental impacts, and the costs associated with nuclear energy. This initiative fills an information void left by the Opposition’s lack of detailed policy or economic modelling on the subject.

“The regions like the Hunter, Lithgow, Collie, Callide, Tarong, the La Trobe Valley, and Port Augusta have powered Australia for decades,” Repacholi noted. “It’s crucial we examine all options to ensure these communities continue to have secure and lasting clean energy jobs.”

Submissions from experts, industry stakeholders, and community members will open soon, with the committee encouraging Australians from all walks of life to contribute. The final report is expected by 30 April 2025.

Energy specialist Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute welcomed the inquiry, stating that open consideration of nuclear power is a positive step. “Anything that begins to open up an adult conversation about nuclear power is a good thing,” he commented.

While some have questioned the timing and motives behind the inquiry, especially with the next federal election on the horizon, Repacholi emphasised the importance of informed debate. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about securing Australia’s energy future based on facts and expert advice,” he said.

A Deputy Chair will be elected in a meeting scheduled for next week as the committee begins its work. Repacholi looks forward to collaborating with his colleagues and the Australian public. “We encourage everyone to have their say. This is a national conversation, and every voice matters,” he added.

The establishment of the committee highlights the government’s commitment to exploring all viable options for Australia’s energy needs, ensuring communities are well-informed and engaged in the decision-making process.