The Australian government's plan to pursue nuclear power as a solution to the country's energy needs is facing criticism. Mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest warns that transitioning to nuclear power would take decades and leave Australia behind the rest of the world, potentially resulting in carbon taxes on Australian products. A CSIRO report estimates that a nuclear power plant would cost at least $8.5 billion and might not be completed until after 2040. Cabinet minister Amanda Rishworth defends the government's renewable energy plan, while Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie supports zero-emissions nuclear power. However, Ralph Evans, author of 'Toast: Climate change is doing enormous harm. Why do many Australians deny it? Can we avoid the worst effects?' argues against the plan, stating that nuclear power stations are too expensive and take too long to build compared to solar, wind, and storage. Evans believes that the plan is driven by politics and an attempt to win voters. He also points out that solar power will continue to become cheaper and dominate the energy sector. If the Dutton-Littleproud plan prevails, Australia may miss out on the global energy revolution and the opportunity to develop green metals and products derived from green hydrogen. The existing coal and gas export industries are expected to decline. The debate over the Dutton-Littleproud nuclear plan highlights the economic consequences and potential missed opportunities for Australia's energy sector. [fa783ffe] [72db43bd]