Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Sturt. I also visited the member for Sturt's electorate very recently. I was there with someone called Claire Clutterham—remember the name, she's terrific. Claire is out there talking with the good people of Sturt about renewable energy and about our government's plan. Funnily enough, when I was in Sturt no-one there was saying, 'I can't wait for those nuke reactors to make a difference!'

But in the question that was asked, he exposes the fraudulent nature of their plans. He just spoke about the closure of a coal-fired power station and what will happen in the meantime? Well, I guess they'll just stand still till 2045, until the nuclear reactors come down if you have your plan.

How absurd to ask a question speaking about the closure of coal. Twenty-four coal-fired power stations announced their closure when you were in government. And you did nothing about it. You waited till you went to the opposition benches and then you came out with this absurd nuclear plan sometime into the future with no idea what fills the gap in the meantime. That's the point. You can't continue to just do nothing because if you just do nothing, what you will do is leave a gap which will lead to a significant escalation of prices which will also lead to a departure of investment.

Because it's Thursday afternoon, I'll give my friend, the minister, the chance for the last minute.

See this speech in context