The Australian Workers Union (AWU), one of the country’s largest trade unions, has expressed its support for lifting a long-standing ban on the use of nuclear energy in Australia.

The AWU said on its official Facebook page that Australia needs a “mature debate” about energy which “must” include nuclear.

“Nuclear energy has zero emissions and can help Australia transition to a clean energy future while safeguarding our manufacturing base and securing roughly a million Australian jobs”, the post said.