The Society’s 1316th Ordinary General Meeting was held in the Gallery Room of the State Library of NSW on 4 October 2023. An audience of approximately fifty people enjoyed a highly topical and thought-provoking presentation titled “Australia’s nuclear future: a new discourse for the 2040s”, delivered by international nuclear law specialist, Helen Cook, Principal of GNE Advisory, and Dr Adi Paterson FRSN FTSE, former CEO of ANSTO. 

In this presentation and subsequent discussion, Ms Cook and Dr Paterson considered Australia’s energy future, arguing for the need for Australia to be technology-neutral in its consideration of future energy options. The talk canvassed the current state of the civilian nuclear industry around the world, noting that around 50 countries are currently considering or actively implementing new nuclear power programs in recognition of the role that nuclear energy can play as a proven, clean, dispatchable, and economical technology to improve energy supply security and mitigate climate change.

The presentation is now available on the Society’s YouTube channel and is a must-see video for all who are interested in Australia’s energy future. Some images from the occasion are available at this link for viewing and downloading.