This paper endeavours to identify the principal factors that need to be identified and addressed if Australia is to pursue the nuclear propulsion option for its next generation submarines. The author argues that Australia has the capacity to manage these issues, even if it cannot...

The pressing need to transition from fossil fuel energy to a low carbon future has seen renewed calls for domestic nuclear power in Australia’s political arena. This paper explores the global status of Small Modular Reactors and wider ‘next-generation’ nuclear technology and explores whether this...

In light of Australia’s climate commitments, it stands to reason that the creation of a nuclear-power sector ought to be revisited, writes Lesley Hughes.

In this report, the Committee makes no recommendations and does not take a strong position on nuclear power as an alternative energy source in Australia, and particularly in Victoria.

In this series of publications, the authors provide short overviews of five main sources of electricity, and one of the main storage options. Each paper briefly explains the relevant technologies and international trends, and some of the opportunities and constraints that apply to their use...

This report illuminates how the changing market competition among the United States, Russia, and China will affect their future relations with nuclear commerce recipient countries, and discusses why Russia and China promote nuclear commerce, as well as which factors may alter their market competitiveness.

This report outlines the findings from a parliamentary inquiry that saw the committee travel across Australia over recent months, taking evidence and assessing over 300 submissions on the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia.

This submission argues that establishing a nuclear power industry in Australia is economically unfeasible, particularly given the uninsurable nature of the technology means the risks of a nuclear incident are borne substantially by Australian taxpayers.

The main focus of this paper is to provide Members of Parliament and the New South Wales public with an overview of the key issues surrounding uranium mining and nuclear energy in NSW.

Cyberattacks are increasingly challenging critical national infrastructure. This paper considers the security by design approach for civil nuclear power plants and analyses areas of risk and opportunities for the nuclear industry.

This discussion paper highlights some of the challenges facing Australia’s energy network and makes the case for industry super fund intervention.

This paper sets out a roadmap for how organisations in the civil nuclear sector can explore their options and review their cyber risk exposure.

This discussion paper examines the relationship between Australia and New Zealand and what this means for cooperation in the Pacific Islands region.

This paper advocates early consideration of all aspects of a transition to nuclear propulsion for Australia's submarines, based on compelling strategic and submarine capability arguments. While a nuclear-powered submarine force would provide strategic advantages, some quite formidable challenges would need to be overcome to add...

There is now tension in the environmental movement about whether nuclear power should in fact be part of a low-carbon energy future.

Anyone following the news on climate policy might well incline to despair. Not only is the Turnbull government continuing to promote the idea that coal is the energy source of the future as well as the past, but many of its backbenchers also think that...

Energy and power prices have dominated the political debate this year. It follows the massive storm and statewide blackout in South Australia last September, which led to the federal government appointing chief scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, to review Australia's energy system. The deadline for final...

Last month, the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission recommended that the state government develop a business venture to store a large fraction of the world’s high- and intermediate-level nuclear power station wastes in South Australia. It proposes to do this by first building...

The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission was established by the South Australian Government on 19 March 2015 to undertake an independent and comprehensive investigation into the potential for increasing South Australia’s participation in the nuclear fuel cycle. It was required to, and did, report to...

This report finds that the business case for a nuclear waste storage facility in South Australia is exaggerated. The project is risky, and a loss overall is well within the range of possible outcomes. Summary South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has handed down...

The Tentative Findings of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission are an interim step in the Commission’s process before the completion of the report in May 2016. They reflect the Commission’s current thinking on the issues it considers to be important and the most cogent...

A proposal to establish a global nuclear waste industry in South Australia would fail to secure 90% of the imported waste, leaving an expensive and risky legacy for the state, according to this report. Summary South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission was established on...

Australia can become the world leader in supplying fuel for low-carbon emission base load electrical power in rapidly expanding economies looking to secure their energy needs while limiting greenhouse emissions.

This Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Issues Paper looks at the possibility of managing, storing and disposing of nuclear and radioactive waste in South Australia, and examines the risks and opportunities of doing this.

In this Lowy Institute Analysis Rodger Shanahan examines changes in Iranian foreign policy under President Rouhani. He argues that while the Iranian President has changed the tone of Iranian foreign policy, changing the substance will prove much more difficult. Key findings Rouhani is a centrist...