Australia could have first nuclear power plant within decade: minister

Australian Industry and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane on Monday predicted that Australia could have its first nuclear power plant within a decade.

He said Australia would be foolish not to consider introducing nuclear power because it could play a major role in slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are preparing the ground for a factual, non-hysterical debate in Australia on nuclear energy," he told reporters in Sydney, Australia's largest city.

"That debate is going to take several years. Once we are across the challenges, then the next step will be to license and permit these sorts of installations (of nuclear power plants)," he said.

"The reality is ... it will probably be 10 years at the earliest before a nuclear power station is actually built in Australia," he said.

Macfarlane's comments came as Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer gave their support for the introduction of nuclear power in Australia.

Howard has been talking up the benefits of nuclear power ahead of receiving a draft copy of an expert report next month, which is examining the issue.

He said earlier Monday that nuclear power has to be considered if Australia is serious about tackling the problem of global warming and climate change.

Source: Xinhua