Institute of Public Affairs Visiting Fellow Professor Stephen Wilson gave evidence to a committee examining nuclear power earlier this year.A Labor-led committee has questioned a nuclear expert with close links to the Coalition over whether he made a potentially misleading statement to parliament over his funding for research.
In response to questions from the ABC, Professor Wilson said he had not "personally" received funding from the "fossil fuel" sector for his work on nuclear power. Professor Wilson travelled to North America with shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien on a nuclear study tour in 2023, including meetings with executives from nuclear giant Westinghouse.He has also spoken at events with Mr O'Brien, criticising the current government's renewables-led energy approach and talking up the potential of nuclear power.
"I have taken on the challenge of working with Scott and the IPA staff, supported and encouraged by the far-sighted group of donors that Nick Jorss is bringing together," he said. Professor Wilson reportedly thanked Bowen Coking Coal executive chairman Nick Jorss in a speech last year for helping to organise donors.Professor Wilson has been cited by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in speeches making the case for the Coalition's proposed pivot to nuclear power.