The Coalition's pitch for nuclear power in Australia appears to be struggling for support among some key voters, as the nation prepares to vote on its energy future.
New data from the ABC's Vote Compass survey shows respondents are divided on nuclear energy, while support for climate change action appears to have softened.
About 47 per cent of ABC Vote Compass respondents said they strongly disagreed or somewhat disagreed with building nuclear power plants, while 38 per cent were somewhat or strongly supportive.
Perth local Gabriel Maddock said she's made up her mind on nuclear energy, and it is a decision she is making with her young children in mind.
"I don't think it will be better for the environment, it's going to be hugely expensive, and I think there's serious safety risks," the 35-year-old told the ABC.
Gabriel Maddock says she wants to see the major parties put forward long term strategic plans for the nation. (Supplied)
ABC Vote Compass found views towards nuclear were split along party lines, while men were more supportive, and those over 65 were the age group most likely to be unsupportive.
According to Vote Compass data, 29 per cent of males strongly disagree with the plan while 41.9 per cent of females disagree.
However, the data shows strong support from those who intend to vote for the Coalition with 44 per cent saying they agree Australia should build nuclear power plants.
This contrasts with those who plan to vote for independents, Labor and the Greens — with just 7, 5, and 4 per cent respectively in strong agreement.
This data comes from a sample of more than 270,000 and has been demographically weighted.
Australia's 'anti-nuclear stance' shifting
The federal opposition last year announced their pitch to build seven nuclear power plants around Australia, reviving a conversation about the sometimes-controversial power source.
"There is a sense that the reflexive anti-nuclear stance of many Australians has fallen away," said the Lowy Institute Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program's Ryan Neelam.
A poll conducted by the Lowy Institute last year found 61 per cent of Australians support nuclear energy being part of the country's energy mix alongside other sources.
This is a shift from a poll conducted in 2011, in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident, when 62 per cent of respondents said they were opposed to Australia building nuclear power plants to cut carbon emissions.
Ryan Neelam says the Lowy Institute's 2024 poll shows Australians are open to nuclear power technology. (ABC News )
"The other things that have changed are
technology has moved on and of course, the climate crisis has also become bigger and has become much more prevalent in national debates around the world," Mr Neelam said.
"The question now is whether nuclear is an appropriate or a cost-effective means of reducing emissions, and whether that's going to have an impact on cost of living, which is where the debate is also at right now."
The Coalition is promising by 2050 Australia will get 38 per cent of its power from nuclear energy, 54 per cent from renewables, and 8 per cent from storage and gas.
Some experts have questioned the projected cost and timelines of the Coalition's nuclear plan.
Peter Dutton, Ted O'Brien and Angus Taylor outlined the costings for the Coalition's nuclear power plan in December. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
Meanwhile, Labor plans to have a grid almost totally powered by renewable energy, with the target of reaching 82 per cent of renewable energy by 2030 and fully renewable by 2050.
Ms Maddock is concerned that a switch to nuclear power would lead to more carbon emissions in the shorter term.
"From a climate perspective, it seems like it's solving one environmental issue with another, because nuclear waste is a very difficult thing to deal with," she said.
"Why would we do that when we could continue developing our renewable power, something Australia is really in a position to be a leader in."
However, Reuben Fraser from Casino in NSW's Northern Rivers region said he would be voting for the Coalition solely because of its nuclear energy plan.
