Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has described Labor’s energy policy as an “absolute train wreck” as she was grilled on the finer details of Peter Dutton’s highly-anticipated nuclear plans, which are set to be unveiled on Wednesday morning.
Nuclear reactors will be owned by the federal government under the Coalition.
The Australian reports the system will be similar to Snowy Hydro and the NBN.
The shadow cabinet met Tuesday night to discuss their nuclear policy which does not include expanded climate and emissions targets.
Cabinet members were not told where the locations for the nuclear reactors would be.
But, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has reportedly briefed MPs whose electorates could host them.
Mr Dutton is on Wednesday set to reveal that nuclear reactors would be owned and operated by the Federal Government should the Coalition win the next election, according to The Australian.
Coalition members convened virtually at 8.30am on Wednesday morning to discuss the draft policy in the party room, following a snap shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday night, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Dutton is expected to officially reveal the finer details of the nuclear energy agenda in a press conference on Wednesday morning.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has been grilled over the Coalition’s nuclear power plans, which are set to be unveiled on Wednesday. Picture: Sky News Australia
Speaking to Sky News Australia, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was asked whether the Coalition’s nuclear energy plans would be given the tick of approval on Wednesday morning.
“Well, we’ll go through our normal processes and consult with the Australian people and we’ll have more to say later,” Ms Ley said.
“But, let’s face it, policy in this country around energy under this government is an absolute train wreck.
“We’re paying the highest electricity prices in the world… today is the coldest day so far this year, there will be Australians who are choosing between heating and eating.”
Ms Ley reiterated the Opposition’s push for nuclear power to be included in the path forward for Australia’s energy future, as the country transitions to net zero emissions by 2050.
“With 90 per cent of base load power due to exit the system by 2034 the government has no answer to that, so we want cheaper, cleaner, consistent power, and we have said that nuclear should be part of that mix,” she said.
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The locations of the proposed nuclear reactors are yet to be revealed by the Coalition, but the Hunter Valley in New South Wales is one region rumoured to be earmarked for the infrastructure.
Queensland is also expected to have at least two nuclear power plants, but whether Victoria’s La Trobe Valley will be a host is up in the air, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Mr Dutton reportedly only briefed those Coalition MPs whose electorates could be a host of a potential nuclear reactor during the meeting on Tuesday evening.
Pressed on reports the Coalition will approve the nuclear plans during a teleconference on Wednesday morning, Ms Ley said would not speak to “internal processes”.
“I think it’s clear there will be a conversation and there will be an announcement later this morning,” she replied.
“I urge people who care about the future of this country who want a policy around energy, around electricity, around manufacturing, which is my particularly area in opposition I stand on factory floors cross this country every day and I see we have record insolvencies, three times as many in the manufacturing and construction industry.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley took aim at Labor over its energy policy, describing it as an “absolute train wreck”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman
“So you’ll rubber stamp it this morning? Where will they go? That’s the big question, where will they go?” Stefanovic pressed.
His line of questioning prompted a swift response from Ms Ley who remained tight-lipped on the finer details of the Coalition’s nuclear plan.
“You wouldn’t expect me to have a scoop at 7am on your program,” Ms Ley hit back.
“But what I will say… we will consult with communities unlike this government that is forcing renewable energy solutions on communities like the Hunter, like the south-west of WA with offshore wind, communities not been consulted on.
“So consultation is critical to this and we’ve always said that and it will remain at the core of the policies that we bring forward. Communities matter.”
Asked how the Coalition would maneuver around state bans on building nuclear power facilities, Ms Ley said the Coalition would “work through” that detail and had a “sensible proposition to put to the Australian people”.