MP feeling nuclear heat

Not ruling out energy alternative sparks attack

FEDERAL MP Karen Andrews has been challenged on where she would want a nuclear plant on the Gold Coast after she declined to rule out the energy option.

The Member for McPherson was asked about nuclear energy while on Sky News yesterday. It followed the release of the CSIRO Australian National Outlook report which compares two versions of Australia in 2060 and predicts the nation will enter a “slow decline” if challenges are not met head on.

Ms Andrews, the Industry, Science and Technology Minister was asked about the findings including that Australia could reach zero submissions by 2050.

She admitted coal would be “part of the energy mix for some time in the future”.

Asked about nuclear energy, Ms Andrews replied: “I don’t have an issue with it being considered.”

Opposition climate change and energy spokesman Mark Butler seized on the comments saying it was another senior Liberal backing nuclear.

“We know nuclear power plants need to be built near water so would Minister Andrews like the nuclear power stations in her electorate, lining the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Would the Minister prefer the nuclear plant in Coolangatta, Robina, Burleigh Heads, or Palm Beach? Scott Morrison needs to make his position clear.”

Mr Butler said the Prime Minister last year had indicated “where something can stack up and can actually bring the prices down, well I’m all for it.”

“Just last week, Energy Minister Angus Taylor would not rule out nuclear power either saying, ‘If there is a clear business case there is a clear business case’,” Mr Butler said.

“The pressure is now on Scott Morrison to take real action to end the energy crisis that emerged under the Liberal Government.

“So far, all the Liberals are promising in energy is expensive new coal-fired power stations and a growing pressure from Morrison’s backbench for Australia to pursue even more expensive nuclear power.”