BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has confirmed the view of many that Australia needs a long-term energy plicy that includes both nuclear power and a carbon tax.

Despite the Japanese nuclear crisis, the nuclear power industry has generally held and excellent record in terms of safety, carbon and environment for decades.

Mr Nasser said: ''I don't think you can rule out any form of clean energy power,'' he said. ''I think it is unusual for a country to be so heavily dependent on one form of energy source and not look at a broad range of energy mix."

Key points made were that any carbon tax must not compromise competitiveness for Australian businesses, and that any capital investment made must not be off the back of state or federal incentives, or predetermination.  Capital investment must be made a commercially sound basis.

Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson confirms that nuclear will remain part of the global energy mix.

The minister told South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy: "There will, undoubtedly, be some changes in potential energy generation mixes globally. But for some countries, nuclear will remain an important part of the energy mix"

Nuclear makes up a significant proportion of the energy mix in countries like Finland and France, but remains a hot topic in Australia.

With the governments unwavering resolve around the carbon tax, nuclear will still remain a challenging and interesting conversation for Australians.

Julia Gillard and the Greens have jointly announced has a new deal on Carbon Pricing, which they hope to push through parliament and 'live' by July 1st 2012.

The goal appears to have a fixed price put on Carbon from July next year, and then aim to have a transition to a wider reaching Emissions Trading Scheme.

Gillard stated: "I'm determined to price carbon....the time is right and the time is now.''

"I do not believe Australia needs to lead the world on climate change, but I also do not think we can afford to be left behind,'' she said.

The carbon price will apply to the energy sector, transport, industrial emissions and waste and it will not hit the agricultural sector.

Energy customers now have almost cast iron confirmation that their costs will increase year on year and the momentum rolls forward toward and Emissions Trading Scheme.