Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's been six days since the Liberals launched their nuclear crusade. I want to let Bennelong know three reasons why I oppose nuclear power—no memes, just facts. Firstly, we do not have another 15 to 20 years to give coal-fired power free reign in our electricity grid. The Liberals' nuclear plans will give coal-fired power a new lease on life, and that would be catastrophic for our efforts to combat climate change. Secondly, nuclear will essentially halt our transition to renewable energy. Nuclear power cannot be switched off, and, as we continue to install more solar panels on homes, the addition of nuclear power would literally blow up the grid. I'll spell it out for them: more nuclear equals fewer renewables, and fewer renewables is bad for our economy and our environment. Lastly, it's the cost. I'll take a stab in the dark here, but I think the good people of Bennelong trust the CSIRO over any politician any day of the week. The CSIRO has consistently found that the most expensive form of new energy is nuclear and that the cheapest is renewables.

Ninety per cent of coal is due to exit our system by 2035. Labor is replacing that coal with renewables to get to 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, with the remainder of our grid to be firmed by gas. This is a good plan and a plan that is working. My message to Bennelong is that their MP will fight against this ridiculous plan every day of the week.