There is a stark gender divide on Australians’ perception of nuclear energy.
A recent survey by the Australian Conservation Foundation found the majority of Australian men (51 percent) supported nuclear energy, but only 26 percent of women thought nuclear would be good for Australia.
ACF Chief Executive Kelly O’Shanassy said the gender divide was pronounced, regardless of the age of voters, with young men and young women just as divided on nuclear energy as those from older generations.
Ms O’Shanassy said while men were spilt down the middle on nuclear energy, the level of support dropped when asked about specific aspects of the industry.
“For example, just one in three men say they would be happy to live near a nuclear plant and a higher percentage of men (42 percent) say they are concerned about the safety of the technology than those who aren’t,” she said.
“Women on the other hand, overwhelmingly consider nuclear to be high cost and high risk.”
Ms O’Shanassy said 63 percent of women said they didn’t want to live near a nuclear plant and more than half (57 percent) didn’t think transporting radioactive waste was worth the risk.
Access the full report: The gender divide on nuclear energy.
