Nuclear power in Australia not realistic for at least a decade, Ziggy Switkowski says

Expert who led 2006 review says ban on nuclear should be lifted, but much more overseas evidence is needed on small modular reactors

It will be about a decade before it is clear whether small nuclear reactors are suitable for Australia and would take about 15 years to bring a plant online if a decision was made to build one, one of the country's leading experts has said.

But Ziggy Switkowski, who headed a 2006 review of nuclear power for the Howard government, said the technology had no chance of being introduced unless Australia had a coherent energy policy.