Ruth Webber (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Senator Minchin. Does the minister recall saying in August 2005 that debate on nuclear power was a waste of time because the commercial and political realities meant it would never happen? Didn’t the minister also point out that it made no sense to adopt nuclear power because Australia still had an abundance of low-cost energy sources such as coal and gas? Given the minister’s view that nuclear power made no sense and was a waste of time, can he explain why the government is trying to drive Australia down the nuclear path? Have the minister’s views about nuclear power changed, or has he been ignored by the Prime Minister?