Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Energy. Does he rule out a nuclear power station being built in northern New South Wales or on the Gold Coast?

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm delighted to be receiving questions from those opposite today, because during the election campaign they steadfastly refused to answer questions about their real plan, which was to establish a carbon tax, double the price of electricity and triple the price of gas for all Australians. That's what they intended to do and that's why the member for Maribyrnong and the member for Port Adelaide steadfastly refused to answer questions on energy policy throughout the campaign—

Mr Gosling interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Solomon will leave under 94(a).

The member for Solomon then left the chamber.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's priority is getting energy prices down for all Australians, hard-working households and small businesses, while we keep the lights on. We've steadfastly said that we will focus on outcomes, not the fuel source—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm going to say to the minister, he is entitled to a preamble but that time's coming to a close. We are almost a minute into the answer.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I say, we are not focused on the fuel source; we are focused on the outcome. We currently have a moratorium on nuclear power generation in Australia, and the government has no plans to change that. We always approach these things with an open mind—

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left!

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

but we do not have a plan to change the moratorium. It's as simple as that. That's the position. But I'll tell you what we will do. We will steadfastly focus on affordable, reliable energy for all Australians and we will not put in place policies that are going to double the price of electricity and triple the price of gas, as those opposite proposed at the last election.