NSW Nationals formally support nuclear power stations

At the recent annual conference in Inverell, a motion to "support the use of nuclear power in Australia" was put forward by both the Orange and Narrabri Nationals branches, and passed unanimously.

Narrabri chair David Scilley said the motion was born out of frustration with the nation's energy debate.

"If they're not going to let us have a new coal-fire power station, we have to look at nuclear power," Mr Scilley said.

"Renewables work when the winds blows and the sun shines, but they've got no back up. We need to cover base-load power."

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Mr Scilley said it was up to the regions to lead the controversial debate.

"People out in the country are more practical - people in the city don't realise where their food comes from or what it takes to produce it," he said

"The government needs a push in the right direction. The biggest problem is minority groups get too much of a say."

Mr Scilley believes the majority of Australians would support nuclear power "if it meant a lot cheaper power".

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New England Nationals chair Russell Webb was singing off the same hymn sheet.

"We have to consider all the options available that will actually supply base-load electricity," Mr Webb said.

"Apart from coal-fire, this is the only other one for base-load power.

"I think if we take emotions out of it and face the topic realistically, we can see that this nation has some fantastic resources, ones that can supply either fuel for coal-fire power stations or nuclear power."

Mr Webb said it was "foolish" for Australia to think of an energy future without a secure base-load supply.

"Nuclear power stations, which are used across the world, are one great solution for that," he said.

NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro recently said Tamworth or Armidale could be the site of a new nuclear power station.

Mr Barilaro said modern nuclear power technology means small scale plants could be established in parts of regional Australia.

"If you want to get away from coal, well nuclear energy, there's a real chance for it because of the new technology, the new small modular reactors that are now on the horizon," Mr Barilaro said.

The Deputy Premier said these were not as water hungry as traditional nuclear power plants, because they use air or sand to cool the core.

"I want a conversation with the Australian people that they look at what the tech looks like going forward and it may be part of the energy mix that is part of our future," he said.

"Everyone keeps talking about low emission energy - yes, we want to see investment in renewables but we know it's not giving us the baseload."