In the vast expanse of Australia, our energy landscape stands at a crossroads, and the decisions we make today will echo through the years to come.

Trapped in the shallowness of media narratives and the myopia of short-term political planning, we find ourselves treading on precarious ground when it comes to shaping our energy systems.

Our institutions, epitomised by the esteemed CSIRO, and AEMO, play a pivotal role in guiding our energy policies. However, a critical examination reveals a gap in foresight.

My assessment of their assumptions on the cost of advanced nuclear technologies in the GenCost is that it is made without due consideration for potential blackouts, the increasing costs of critical minerals, and rare earth minerals essential for renewables. As the demand for these minerals skyrockets, so does the economic burden on our nation.

While I wholeheartedly support renewable energy, I find myself questioning the sustainability of a system that relies entirely on a single technology. Let's talk about those big renewable projects: sadly, many of them are running into issues with social approval.

Firstly, the significant footprint of these projects on land often becomes a point of contention.

The development of large renewable installations requires substantial areas of land, leading to concerns about the impact on local ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and overall land use.

This becomes a critical issue, especially in regions where the land is valued for agricultural purposes or is closely connected to the livelihoods of local........

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