We are running out of energy so why not consider the nuclear option? Whether it is an act of war, the result of a natural disaster, a side-effect of testing or a total accident, nuclear energy and waste have resulted in too many catastrophes. Now it is being considered in parliament as an alternative solution to dwindling energy. Is it possible to forget the past in order to embrace the future? Adam Bandt, deputy leader of the Australian Greens Party and David Limbrick, Liberal Democratic Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council. Also This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the East Timor vote for independence. These were heady days for Australian diplomacy led by the Howard government as troops were sent to East Timor. Our longest-serving foreign minister was there. Alexander Downer, former Australian foreign minister from early 1996 to late 2007, and executive chairman of the International School of Government at the Kings College in London and chairman of Policy Exchange, a prominent British think tank.