Australian state leaders have responded to federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s proposal to build seven nuclear power plants across the country if elected. The Liberal-National Coalition suggests replacing retiring coal-fired power stations with nuclear facilities as an alternative to a mass roll-out of renewable energy sources. However, the response from state Labor premiers has been mostly negative, while Liberal Party opposition leaders have been hesitant to openly support the concept.
In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan is a strong opponent of the Coalition’s nuclear plan. She stated that she would do everything in her power to stop a nuclear power plant from being built in Victoria. Allan emphasized the importance of clean, secure, and cheaper energy sources and highlighted Victoria’s success with renewable energy, which has resulted in the lowest wholesale prices in the nation.
The opposition leader in Victoria, John Pesutto, stated that nuclear energy is not currently on their agenda but left room for future discussions. He acknowledged that a future federal government might initiate a national discussion on nuclear power. However, Pesutto emphasized the need to address current energy shortfalls, particularly in relation to gas.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles raised concerns about nuclear waste and cost. He stated that the proposed plan would cost hundreds of billions of dollars and lead to higher electricity bills for Queenslanders. Miles argued that Queensland already has a detailed and costed plan to achieve net zero emissions through renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and pumped hydro storage.
Miles also expressed doubts about selling designated sites for nuclear power plants to the federal government, as the Queensland government still owns those generators and the land. He emphasized that his government would do everything possible to block Dutton’s plan if Labor is in power.
In New South Wales, Premier Chris Minns expressed concerns about the high costs and time required to implement nuclear power. He highlighted significant investments in renewable energy developments and the potential risk to that investment if nuclear power were introduced. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman expressed openness to nuclear power but emphasized the need for rigorous assessment and consideration of community support.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas criticized Dutton’s proposal, stating that nuclear power would actually increase prices in the Australian energy market. He questioned Dutton’s lack of transparency regarding the cost of nuclear power and expressed concerns about making policy decisions without sufficient information. However, Opposition Leader David Speirs from South Australia displayed overt support for nuclear energy and proposed establishing a Royal Commission to explore the potential for civil nuclear energy generation in the state.
In Western Australia, Energy Minister Reece Whitby strongly opposed the idea of nuclear power, stating that it was a recipe for disaster. He argued that Australia lacks the legislative framework, workforce, and experience needed for nuclear power and that it would require significant taxpayer subsidies. On the other hand, opposition energy spokesperson Steve Thomas expressed a willingness to consider nuclear energy if the business case and community support are present.
Overall, state leaders’ responses to Dutton’s nuclear power proposal vary. While some are firmly opposed due to concerns about cost, waste, and the success of renewable energy sources, others are open to further discussions or even supportive of exploring nuclear energy options. The debate surrounding nuclear power in Australia continues as leaders weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of this alternative energy source.
