Victorian Opposition must come clean on energy plan

Environment Victoria is calling on Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin and Nationals Leader Danny O’Brien to rule out nuclear power after federal Nationals MP and member for the Victorian seat of Mallee, Anne Webster, publicly commented that the Coalition “will look at everything including nuclear.”

“Victorian voters gave a resounding “no” to nuclear power at the federal election yet Federal Nationals MP for the Victorian seat of Mallee, Anne Webster, seems to think it’s a good idea to revisit the question,” said Environment Victoria CEO Jono La Nauze.

“Nuclear reactors are too slow, too expensive and too risky to replace our aging coal and gas power stations.

Any nuclear policy would also mean billions of tonnes of additional climate pollution, and voters need to know where the Victorian Opposition stands.”

“Whilst the Federal National Party appear to be ideologically wedded to nuclear, they are clearly out of step with Victorian voters, who firmly rejected nuclear at the recent federal election.”

“With less than 15 months until the state election, Victorians need to know where the Opposition stands on our energy future.”

“In 2022 the Coalition took a forward-looking ‘Power to the People’ plan to the state election, promising emissions cuts and support for households to access solar batteries, however it is very unclear what Brad Battin’s energy policy is, and alarming comments by his federal counterparts will leave voters scratching their heads.”

“We’d love to see Battin and O’Brien come out today and give Victorians clarity by ruling out nuclear, which we know is not a viable solution for Victoria.”