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Support for uses of nuclear technology

28 Sep 2021

Q. To what extent would you support or oppose using nuclear energy sources for the following?

  TOTAL: Support TOTAL: Oppose Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
To power a submarine fleet for the Royal Australian Navy 47% 21% 22% 24% 32% 11% 10%
To establish Australia’s nuclear weapon capabilities 29% 38% 11% 19% 33% 16% 22%
To supply power to Australian households and businesses 48% 24% 22% 26% 29% 10% 13%

 

TOTAL: Support Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
To power a submarine fleet for the Royal Australian Navy 47% 56% 38% 38% 43% 58% 39% 66% 29% 45%
To establish Australia’s nuclear weapon capabilities 29% 37% 22% 32% 30% 26% 26% 38% 25% 32%
To supply power to Australian households and businesses 48% 57% 38% 44% 47% 51% 41% 63% 34% 47%
Base (n) 1,094 539 555 341 368 385 366 397 101 130
  • Following the AUKUS submarine partnership announcement last week, 47% say they support the use of nuclear power to fuel vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. A similar proportion support the introduction of nuclear power generation (47%).
  • There is less enthusiasm for nuclear weapons, with less than a third (29%) supporting this, and higher opposition to the idea of Australia developing nuclear weapons (37%).
  • Those most likely to be supportive of all forms of nuclear technology are men and Coalition voters. Older people are more supportive than younger people of nuclear submarines and power generation.
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