Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Science and Water) Share this | Hansard source

My question today is to Senator Minchin, Minister for Finance and Administration, representing the Prime Minister. Is the minister aware that the nuclear inquiry report states that if nuclear energy is to become viable in Australia we will need to introduce a carbon emission price signal of $15 to $40 a tonne? Given those findings, does the minister now support introducing such a price signal in order to make nuclear energy viable in this country or does the minister maintain the view that he expressed last week that a price should not be imposed on carbon emissions as our access to cheaper power makes Australia internationally competitive in a number of sectors? Does the minister believe that a $15 to $40 a tonne price signal on carbon emissions would cost jobs and reduce our competitiveness?