Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. UK Labour is currently campaigning with a manifesto which calls for new nuclear power stations and small modular reactors to make Britain a clean energy superpower. Why is the Albanese Labor government risking the lights going out in Australia instead of using nuclear energy, which is proven around the world to deliver cheaper, cleaner—

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, members on my right! We'll do this as long as it takes, but if I can't hear the question, it's the same principle as the time before. To get through the questions, if everyone can cease interjecting, we'll get through more questions.

The Minister for Social Services is warned. The member for Moncrieff will begin her question again.

Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. UK Labour is currently campaigning with a manifesto which calls for new nuclear power stations and small modular reactors to make Britain a clean energy superpower. Why is the Albanese Labor government risking the lights going out in Australia instead of using nuclear energy, which is proven around the world to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more consistent energy?

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

I thank the member for her question. I am asked about the British election campaign, and I won't refrain from the obvious. As Prime Minister, I wish both Rishi Sunak, who I know well, and Keir Starmer well in the election that will be held next week—next Thursday. We'll wait and see what happens there.

Honourable members interjecting —

But, when it comes to the UK—do we have to have the gibberish, Mr Speaker?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will ignore the interjections, and the Manager of Opposition Business will assist.

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

I'm asked about Britain. I notice there weren't interjections about the sun shining in Britain! I notice that, because those opposite seem to think that every country is the same. The UK began its nuclear program in the 1940s. They have decades of work on a nuclear industry. And for them—

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's a lot of wind.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Nationals will cease interjecting.

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

As the International Energy Agency says, nuclear will play an important role in a range of countries. But, for Australia, it does not make sense. It does not make economic sense. When it comes to Britain, the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant was initially due to be operational in 2017. It was supposed to cost $35 billion. Now it will open sometime after 2031, more than a decade late, and it will cost about $90 billion for one reactor in the UK.

That's why when I'm asked about other jurisdictions—let's talk about some jurisdictions closer to home. New South Wales opposition leader: 'We can't wait for nuclear.' Victorian opposition leader: 'There are prohibitions in place, so I'm not racing along the nuclear path.' Victorian Nats leader: 'You wouldn't be surprised that our view is exactly the same as John Pesutto's.' Queensland LNP leader: 'I've been very consistent with it. Nuclear is not part of planning in Queensland.'

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Moncrieff will take her point of order.

Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's on relevance. We were talking about the UK nuclear program, not the New South Wales—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat. The member is entitled to state a point of order on relevance, but the Prime Minister is being directly relevant. He has the call.

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

I hate to state the obvious, but they've just said that David Crisafulli, Peter Walsh, John Pesutto, Mark Speakman, Shane Love and Guy Barnett are all irrelevant. Well, they are as far as their plan is concerned, because their plan is friendless amongst their own people, amongst the business community and amongst anyone in the energy sector.