Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

What I would say to Senator Birmingham is that we are focused on what we are doing here. It is true that other countries have a longer history of turning to nuclear power generation for their domestic needs. The point is Australia has not. The point is Australia has a vast array of renewable energy sources at enormous potential, and we know, from all of the advice that was given to you and to us, that nuclear is expensive and its arrival will be tardy.

If you're talking about four per cent in 2040, this is not a solution to the challenges Australia faces. No amount of looking to what the rest of the world does or may do can get over the fact that your policy cannot deliver. (Time expired)