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Should Victoria lift its ban on nuclear activities, such as nuclear power stations and uranium mining?

Council only · 1 vote

Background

The Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2023, a Libertarian bill in the Legislative Council, would have repealed the 1983 law that bans uranium and thorium exploration and mining, nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities in Victoria. The Council voted down its second reading 16–22 on 15 November 2023, so the bans remain. Commonwealth law also restricts nuclear power.

What each side said

Summarised from the debate in Parliament, with sources below.

For “agree”

Supporters said nuclear is a proven low-emission option for reliable power after coal closes, and the 1983 law also blocks mining and defence and space industries: "Like other countries we should not rule out options" (Gaelle Broad, Nationals); "Repealing the nuclear prohibitions will cost us absolutely nothing" (David Limbrick, Libertarian). One Nation and the Shooters also voted on this side.

For “disagree”

Opponents said nuclear power is expensive, would arrive too late to replace coal, uses a lot of water and creates radioactive waste: "We think the future is renewable, not radioactive" (Ryan Batchelor, ALP). Legalise Cannabis said "nuclear power is not the answer" (David Ettershank). The Greens and Animal Justice also voted on this side.

How the parties voted

Across the linked votes below. Second and third readings count five times as much as other votes. Parties are in alphabetical order. How this is worked out

How each party voted across the linked votes
Party Record Votes with a party position
Animal Justice Consistently against 1 of 1
Democratic Labour Consistently for 1 of 1
Greens Consistently against 1 of 1
Labor Consistently against 1 of 1
Legalise Cannabis Consistently against 1 of 1
Liberal Consistently for 1 of 1
Libertarian Consistently for 1 of 1
Nationals Consistently for 1 of 1
One Nation Consistently for 1 of 1
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Consistently for 1 of 1

The vote behind this question

Each vote (division) recorded in Parliament that this question is based on, in date order.

15 November 2023 · Legislative Council

Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2023

Question put
12 NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES (PROHIBITIONS) REPEAL BILL 2023 — Debate resumed on the question, That the Bill be now read a second time.
Result
Question negatived. Ayes 16, Noes 22.
Matches “agree”
An Aye vote
Weight
Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
Why it's linked
Second reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
How each party voted on Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2023, 15 November 2023
Party Aye No Position
Animal Justice 0 1 No
Democratic Labour 1 0 Aye
Greens 0 4 No
Labor 0 15 No
Legalise Cannabis 0 2 No
Liberal 10 0 Aye
Libertarian 1 0 Aye
Nationals 2 0 Aye
One Nation 1 0 Aye
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers 1 0 Aye
Every name (Ayes 16, Noes 22) in the vote of 15 November 2023

Ayes (16)

Matthew Bach, Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Evan Mulholland, Adem Somyurek, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell

Noes (22)

Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt

Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 44, 45 and 46 (LC-60-045-03)

Sources

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