Nuclear power on National Party agenda for tackling emissions through Clean Energy Finance rules

CEFC is a government-backed organisation investing in projects aimed at reducing Australia's carbon emissions.

It is currently prohibited from investing in nuclear power and technology, as well as carbon capture and storage technology.

Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the group's amendments to regulations would remove restrictions on CEFC investing in nuclear and carbon capture technologies in addition to "high efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power stations".

Riverina MP and Nationals leader Michael McCormack said it was "important that consideration be given to amendments put forward".

"We have always said a diverse energy mix is needed to ensure affordability and reliability in the system for Australian families and businesses," he said.

Mr McCormack said the government was "backing coal projects in Australia" and invested in a feasibility study into High-Efficiency, Low-Emissions (HELE) coal-fired power generation.

"Any investment into new power infrastructure, including in the Riverina, would need to take into consideration local community expectation as part of delivering a diverse energy mix," he said.

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Wagga Climate Action president Patricia Murray said nuclear power was not a practical option for reducing Australia's emissions quickly enough because of the amount of time facilities would take to build.

"The information we're getting now is we need to reduce emissions now, not eventually - their target of 2050 is too late," she said.

Ms Murray said the volume of radioactive waste would also be difficult to manage.

"It's something that takes many thousands of years to become inactive," she said.

"Most people won't want it in their backyard."

Ms Murray said there were promising technologies in the area of carbon sequestration but it was important to invest in research from all angles to make sure the ramifications of each idea was properly explored.

Natural carbon sequestration, she said, could be done right now by providing financial incentives for farmers to retain and regrow vegetation on their properties.

"If the Nationals really wanted to do something ... giving them incentives to put more trees on their property, that would help the native wildlife and biodiversity in general," she said.

Ms Murray said one of the greatest challenges would be lifting Australia's investment in research to find the best ways to lower emissions.