Nuclear for Australia Founder Will Shackel could face up to seven years in prison for his role in attempting to build a nuclear reactor on Canberra's foreshore, according to social media video shared on April 1 2026.
Mr Shackel said of his arrest that it was a shame his reactor only made of sand and failed to generate any clean energy.
"It started as an April Fools’ joke, but what is laughable is that someone could be put away for seven years under federal legislation for any actions that support the development of a technology that is proven, operational and safe,” he said.
"Australia is the only G20 member without nuclear power and there are 31 countries around the world who already make use of this technology. Australia is the fool if we continue to let anti-nuclear ideology get in the way of the cleanest, greenest and most reliable baseload power option.
"Australia's energy demands are only growing, and the current geopolitical tensions highlight how important sovereign energy security is.
"Australia needs reliable, baseload power and nuclear is the cleanest way to do that."
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