Nationals Party senators have called for Australia’s ban on nuclear power to be lifted so the technology can be explored as a clean energy source as the federal government faces increased pressure to set a deadline for net-zero emissions, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

A parliamentary inquiry in 2019 found the ban should be partially lifted but energy and emissions reduction minister Angus Taylor said at the time the government had no plans to alter the moratorium, which has been in place since 1998.