Nuclear didn’t die with Peter Dutton’s election defeat – international experts say it’s just arrived

Australia will hold its first major conference on the role of nuclear power next week, with experts discussing the strategic role of this vital but controversial energy source. The UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), will host a summit on Tuesday 5 August, looking at the role of nuclear both here in Australia and around the world.  

Australians voted against nuclear power at the recent federal election. But the country is a major participant in the industry, with one-third of the world’s entire uranium supply. There are also major skills shortages in the field, presenting a key challenge to the multibillion-dollar AUKUS agreement. 

The conference will examine: 

• What skills are in demand for the global nuclear workforce? 

• How can nuclear developments in Australia contribute to global climate change mitigation? 

• What role will nuclear power play in the future? 

Featured panel experts include: 

• Associate Professor Ed Obbard, Director of UNSW’s Nuclear Innovation Centre  

• William D. Magwood, IV, Director General, Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) 

• Aleshia Duncan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Energy 

• Lisa Marshall, President, American Nuclear Society (ANS) 

• Sir Robin Grimes, former Chief Scientific Adviser to both the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 

• Shaun Jenkinson, CEO, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) 

The event will also mark the launch of Australia’s first undergraduate honours degree in nuclear engineering, which will open in 2026. Click here to see the event’s program. 

Media are invited to attend the Nuclear Futures conference. 

Date: Tuesday 5th August 2025. 8:30am for 9:30am start. 
Location: Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW.