Joyce says nuclear power should be on table

BARNABY Joyce has argued for a plan where free electricity would be given to homeowners in proximity to power plants if nuclear energy was introduced in Australia.

In a News Corp interview Mr Joyce lashed out at environmentalists who wanted zero emissions but refused to consider nuclear power.

Mr Joyce said while he was focusing on promoting coalfired stations in Australia, he also thought nuclear shouldn’t be “demonised” or taken off the table.

It comes after NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of being soft on energy and said if introduced in NSW nuclear power would help secure the state’s power supply in the future.

Mr Joyce, who is in New England campaigning for the by-election sparked by his New Zealand dual citizenship, has suggested a scheme where those in proximity to reactors could be given a discount on power to alleviate community concerns about power plants.

“(With nuclear policies) people always say would you want one in your electorate? I think if people are smart enough you could come up with policies to deal with that,” Mr Joyce said “You can say if you see a nuclear reactor your power’s free, if you’re in so many kilometres your power’s half price and if so many other kilometres it’s 25 per cent off.”

He said he believed there would be “many places” in Australia that would be interested in the plan.

“I just don’t think it’s should be dismissed … I also find it strange people say they want to reduce emissions but won’t consider nuclear power,” he said. “We export uranium. We dig it out of the ground and believe that’s all right, we semiprocess it and we think that’s all right. We cart it through the middle of town and put it on a boat and think that’s all right.”

“So if that’s all right what’s wrong with using it yourself.”