By PHILIP HOPKINS
THE federal Coalition, by avoiding Labor’s unnecessary overdevelopment on pristine landscapes and farmland, will integrate nuclear power into a broader and cheaper energy mix, the Leader of the Liberal Party, Peter Dutton, has vowed.
“Nuclear energy is the key to achieving net-zero emissions sooner,” Mr Dutton said, releasing the Coalition’s energy plan last week.
“Australia will meet net zero emissions by 2050 – one year earlier than Labor – while generating fewer emissions beyond 2050.”
Mr Dutton said the Coalition would ensure a more sustainable and responsible shift from coal to zero emissions nuclear.
“Our plan responsibly integrates renewables, increasing large-scale solar and wind capacity while protecting regional communities from overdevelopment,” he said.
“At the same time, zero-emissions nuclear energy and gas provide the reliability that Labor’s plan fails to deliver. Labor’s plan will see 90 per cent of Australia’s 24/7 baseload power forced out of the system by 2034, leaving the grid vulnerable to blackouts and instability.
“In contrast, the Coalition’s approach ensures retiring coal plants are replaced with reliable, zero-emissions nuclear energy, supported by renewables, gas, and storage. By 2050, our plan will deliver up to 14 GW of nuclear energy, guaranteeing consistent and stable electricity for all Australians.
“Australians face soaring energy costs, record levels of hardship, small business insolvencies, and growing uncertainty under Labor’s renewables-only energy plan.”
The Coalition’s analysis is based on a report from Frontier Economics, which has been an independent consultant for 25 years.
“The Coalition’s energy plan will save Australians up to $263 billion compared to Labor’s renewables-only approach – a 44 per cent saving for taxpayers and businesses,” Mr Dutton said.
Frontier Economics Managing Director, Danny Price, emphasised that the report had been funded and directed solely by the firm itself.
“Consultation with various government and private sector parties has been sought to ensure we modelled the inclusion of nuclear power most accurately,” he said.
“We expect and welcome robust debate on the work we present.”
Mr Dutton said Labor’s energy plan comes at five times the cost Australians were initially promised.
“This excessive burden is already being felt by families and businesses, with energy bills rising by up to 52 per cent and more than 25,000 businesses forced to close their doors in part due to skyrocketing energy costs,” he said.
In contrast, the Coalition’s lower cost plan means reduced power bills for households, lower operating costs for small businesses, and a stronger, more resilient economy.
“Anthony Albanese promised Australians a $275 cut to their power bills, but instead, families are paying up to $1000 more under Labor’s costly and chaotic energy policies,” he said.
Mr Dutton said Frontier Economics’ analysis leaves no doubt: “Australians will be better off under our plan”.
“We will avoid hidden costs, reduce unnecessary infrastructure expenses, and lead to lower energy prices,” he said.
“The Coalition’s plan ensures Australians are not overburdened by unnecessary expenses or reckless policies. Nuclear energy is at the heart of our plan, providing the ‘always-on’ power needed to back up renewables, stabilise the grid, and keep energy affordable.”
Mr Dutton said advanced economies worldwide were expanding nuclear programs to meet their energy and emissions goals, and Australia must not be left behind.
“Only the Coalition’s energy plan delivers a cheaper, cleaner, and consistent future for Australian households and businesses while protecting our environment and securing the energy Australians rely on,” he said.
Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Monash, Mary Aldred, said right now, people in Monash were hurting with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Energy affordability and reliability is raised every day of the week with me by families, and business are struggling to keep their heads above water,” she told the Express.
Ms Aldred said the Coalition’s plan for zero emissions, and affordable and reliable nuclear energy offered a better path forward.
“In the hundreds of conversations that I’ve already had with local people, they want a grown-up, fact-based discussion about our energy future,” she said.
“While the Greens-Teals-Labor alliance wants to saddle people in Monash with expensive and unreliable energy, the Coalition has a clear plan for the Latrobe Valley to continue as a national energy hub.
“I want to see highly skilled and highly paid jobs stay in our region and contributing to our national prosperity.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to listen to people in Moe and Newborough about what they want and to be a strong voice for them in the federal Coalition government to get Australia back on track.”
