Australia faces legal barriers to adopting modular nuclear power

Proponents are advocating for the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors to bolster Australia's energy supply. Advocates suggest that these technologies offer a continuous power alternative to solar and wind, which require significant battery storage and land to provide 24/7 reliability. One Australian engineer, Bobby Gallagher of Deployable Energy, is currently developing a 1 MW microreactor known as the Unity Nuclear Battery (UNB™).

However, the expansion of nuclear technology in Australia faces significant legal hurdles. Current Commonwealth and state laws, such as Queensland's Nuclear Facilities Prohibition Act (2007), prohibit the construction or operation of nuclear reactors and related fuel cycle facilities. Critics of nuclear expansion in Queensland previously cited concerns regarding public health, safety, and the potential impact on the state's coal and mineral industries.