Clear majority of Australians (61%) don’t want Nuclear Power Plants, but do want to export Uranium for ‘Peaceful purposes’ (59%)

In the first Morgan Poll taken after the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami and subsequent problems at the Fukushima nuclear power plant a clear majority of Australians (61%) do not want nuclear power plants in Australia — up 26% since September 1979. However, a majority of Australians (59%) say Australia ‘should export Uranium to other countries for peaceful purposes’ according to a special telephone Morgan Poll taken over the last two nights this week, March 16/17, 2011.

The majority of Australians (59%, down 3% since June 1991) support exporting Uranium to other countries for ‘peaceful purposes’ compared to 34% (up 3%) that don’t want to export. However only 44% support exporting Uranium to other countries for their ‘nuclear power needs’ while 50% of Australians don’t want to export for their 'nuclear power needs.'

The majority of Australians 61% (up 26% since September 1979) believe Australia should not develop nuclear power plants to supply electricity, while only 34% (down 18%) of Australians believe Australia should develop nuclear power plants to supply electricity and 5% can’t say.

If Australia were to develop nuclear power plants, a large majority (73%, up 23% since September 1979) of Australians would oppose a nuclear power plant being built in their area compared to just 12% (down 6%) that would agree to a nuclear power plant being built in their area while a further 13% (down 8%) would be anxious but not oppose it — meaning a total 25% (down 14%) would not oppose a nuclear power plant being built in their area.

A plurality of Australians (49%) object to other countries building nuclear power plants compared to only 37% that say other countries should build nuclear power plants.

Gary Morgan says:

“Australian opinions on nuclear power have changed significantly over the last 30 years with 61% (up 26% since September 1979) of Australians now saying they don’t want nuclear power plants in Australia while just 34% (down 18%) support the development of nuclear power plants.

“Despite not wanting nuclear power in Australia a majority of Australians (59%, down 3% since June 1991) support the export of Uranium for ‘peaceful purposes’ although only 44% support the export of Uranium for nuclear power needs and more Australians (49%) don’t want other countries to build nuclear power plants than those that do (37%).

“Following on from the recent disaster in Japan at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, these results show that there is no likelihood of Australians supporting nuclear power as part of Australia’s energy mix to reduce carbon emissions in the next few years.

This special telephone Morgan Poll was conducted over the last two nights, March 16/17, 2011 with an Australia-wide cross-section of 635 Australians aged 14+.

Nuclear Power in Australia

Question 1: “Should Australia export Uranium to other countries for peaceful purposes?”

Question 2: “Should Australia export Uranium to other countries for their Nuclear Power needs?”

Question 3: “Do you believe Australia should develop nuclear power plants to supply electricity to Australia?”

Question 4: “If Australia were to develop nuclear power plants, would you agree to a nuclear power plant being built in your area, would you feel anxious about it but not oppose it, or oppose a nuclear power plant being built in your area?”

Question 5: “In your opinion should other countries build nuclear power plants or not?”

Margin of Error

The following table gives indications of the likely range within which estimates would be 95% likely to fall, expressed as the number of percentage points above or below the actual estimate. Allowance for design effects (such as stratification and weighting) should be made as appropriate.