Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Green, for that question. The Albanese Labor government is delivering for every Australian because we are a government for all Australians. That's why, from this week, we're taking $300 off the power bill of every Australian household, including those who live in regional areas. Our Reliable Renewables plan is the only plan supported by experts to deliver the clean, cheap, reliable and resilient energy systems that Australians deserve. Under Labor we've had a 25 per cent increase in renewables in the national grid and we've greenlit more than 50 renewable projects—enough to power three million homes. Reliable renewables are the cheapest form of energy, and getting more renewables in the power system is bringing prices down.

That's why Labor opposes Mr Dutton's risky, expensive nuclear reactor plan that guarantees more expensive power in 20 years time and blackouts in the meantime. But it turns out it's not just Labor that opposes Mr Dutton's plan. It seems that many within the Queensland LNP rank and file also oppose it. The Australian newspaper had an article today titled 'Nuclear sidelined at LNP unity convention'. The article reads:

The Liberal National Party has snubbed any reference to nuclear energy across 173 resolutions up for debate at its final convention before the next Queensland and federal elections.

Not one rank-and-file member of the LNP is prepared to back Mr Dutton's nuclear fantasy. There is nothing from Senator McGrath, nothing from Senator McDonald, nothing from Senator Scarr—not even anything from our friend up the back, Senator Rennick, over there in Siberia. There were 173 resolutions and not a single one supporting a nuclear reactor next to the Great Artesian Basin.

The fact that not one LNP branch could bring themselves to support Peter Dutton's risky nuclear idea shows what they think of this policy. They know it's divisive and they know it'll jack up power prices.