Australia's new chief scientist open to nuclear power but focused on energy forms available 'right now'

Australia's new chief scientist has said he is open to the prospect of nuclear power playing a role in the country's energy mix, but remained focused on forms of energy that were "available to help us right now". On his first day in the job, Prof Tony Haymet said new energy-intensive technologies like artificial intelligence could be powered by renewables, but that he thought serious discussions about nuclear in Australia were likely to be years away. "If you go back and look at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island and so on, there wasn't enough transparency and openness. I think the nuclear industry has accepted the fact that they have to rebuild their social licence to operate," Haymet told a press conference when asked about small modular reactors (SMRs). "You know, for the next chief scientist in 2030 or 2040, I think you can re-ask your question."