Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Nuclear Energy Prohibitions) 2022

# Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Nuclear Energy Prohibitions) 2022 ## What it does This bill removes legal bans on nuclear energy in Australia by deleting sections from two major environmental laws. Currently, Australian law prohibits nuclear power stations and nuclear waste facilities. If passed, this bill would strike out those prohibitions, allowing nuclear energy projects to potentially be pursued under existing environmental assessment rules instead. ## Why it matters Nuclear energy has been off-limits in Australia for decades due to legal restrictions, not just political preference. Removing these bans would open the door to nuclear power as an energy option, which supporters argue could help with climate goals, while critics worry about waste management and safety risks. It's a significant shift in what energy options the country can legally develop. ## Key details - **What's being removed**: Four specific legal bans across two acts — the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. These currently prohibit nuclear power plants, nuclear waste facilities, and related activities. - **When it starts**: The changes take effect the day after the bill receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's approval). - **No new rules being added**: The bill only removes existing prohibitions. It doesn't create new oversight, safety standards, or approval processes — those would stay the same as for other energy projects.