Cost and timelines should not be major factors in the nuclear power debate, says an expert giving Opposition Leader Peter Dutton a break on his reactor plan.
Developing a nuclear industry will boost worker skills and create a raft of support industries that grow the national economy, Barry Green told a parliamentary inquiry into nuclear energy.
"We should be setting Australia up to have the most flexible, secure and advanced power generation system and workforce looking forward to the next 50 to 100 years," he said on Tuesday.
Dr Green, who worked in the nuclear industry in the US and Europe for 40 years after graduating from the University of Sydney, recommended state and federal legislation reform to remove the ban on nuclear reactors.
He also called for the nation's nuclear knowledge base to be bolstered with more training, and to ensure correct information in the political debate.
Dr Green also urged the federal government to remain engaged with the international nuclear forum, and for the development of a secure nuclear waste storage facility to replace the current mix of locations.
He also said Australia should start enriching uranium to add considerable value to the yellowcake exports.
Former WA Greens MP and Conservation Council WA vice president Giz Watson said developing a nuclear power industry could lead to Australia becoming a global dumping ground for nuclear waste.
"The production of fuel rods produces radioactive waste that has to be isolated from the environment for tens of thousands of years," she said.
"There are 290,000 tonnes of high-level nuclear waste globally and that's been increasing every year by about 12,000 to 14,000 tonnes per annum.
"There is no repository yet established for that material."
Nuclear energy is not fit for purpose in a state like WA and wholesale energy prices would rise if it was introduced, Sustainable Energy Now chair Fraser Maywood said.
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said the federal nuclear power ban should be lifted.
"If Australian industry is being asked to reduce emissions or incur carbon abatement costs it is wrong to ban technologies that are available to our competitors," she said.
She said people facing rising power bills deserved to have the nuclear power option on the table.
"Every Australian pays the price of a nonsense policy that should change," she said.
