South Australia's discussions over the nuclear industry are not like the divided Brexit debate, Premier Jay Weatherill says.
The premier has used the turmoil in the UK over the vote to leave the European Union to champion his government's handling of proposals for an increased role in the nuclear fuel cycle.
He says community consultation and discussion and "not a shouting match" have been put at the forefront of the local debate.
"We've seen an example just yesterday of what happens when you have a referendum and you have a yes, no answer," he said.
"You've got a divided Britain now, with no capacity to reconcile any of the complex issues involved."
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The premier's comments came on Saturday as he opened the first of two citizens' juries that will consider a recent report from the state's Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, in particular the recommendation that SA consider setting up a high-level dump to take nuclear waste from overseas.
He was heckled by more than 100 anti-uranium protesters as he made his way to the venue, flanked by a strong police presence.
Mr Weatherill said the protest was an example of the strong views held by some people on the nuclear issue.
"Some people will be opposed to this without even reading the report. They will just have a sentiment and we have to give that weight. We have to respect that," he said.
"But governments need to assess the arguments and make a judgment about what's in the best interests of South Australia.
"We're not going to shirk that responsibility."
The protesters said they were concerned at any move to take toxic waste that would impact, not only on current generations, but on generations to come.
They also questioned the business case presented for the dump.
The jury of 50 randomly selected people will consider the recommendations from the royal commission and present a report to government on areas of most community concern.
One of the jurors, Emeel Habib, said he hoped to gain a better understanding of what was being proposed, but with a young family, safety was his main concern.
Another juror, Angela Faulkner, said she wanted to be involved to make a contribution and hoped the jury process was an honest attempt to seek community views.
The first jury will be held over two weekends with a larger jury of 350 people in October to evaluate community feedback.
The state government will then make a final decision on the nuclear issue, including the dump proposal, by the end of the year.
