The new Energy Minister Chris Bowen has taken a swipe at a Coalition proposal to explore nuclear electricity amid Australia’s energy crisis, labelling it a “complete joke” that after nine years in office they’d suggest “the most expensive form of energy” to make power prices cheaper.

Fair point: the Coalition did nothing to remove the federal nuclear electricity ban. When he announced nuclear submarines, then-prime minister Scott Morrison said there was no point trying to lift the ban while Labor completely opposed it. I disagree. Better to take a stand and prosecute your case. But Bowen is wrong to dismiss nuclear electricity on cost.