There is a certain irony developing in the nuclear debate. Many who support it argue that the net zero target will not be reached without nuclear energy. This remains a moot point. But the politicians advocating for nuclear power stations have already thrown out all interim targets.

A zero emissions target by 2050 seems a safe distance away, allowing some Liberal MPs in the Coalition to still barrack for its retention. If targets are not reached, most of them will be a distant memory, well-removed from politics. There are also some frontline members of the National Party who would rather have no target at all. They are in lock-step with Pauline Hanson and this does not augur well as the country launches blindly to the extreme right.