Australia is squandering an opportunity to carefully consider nuclear energy as a partner to rapidly emerging renewable technologies, advocates say, as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sharpens political attacks on Labor over the cost of power.

The Liberal leader said on Friday the country’s growing energy demands could be met cost-effectively by building small nuclear reactors on the site of ageing coal-fired power plants that are due to be shut down as the economy decarbonises, calling for Australia to join the international “nuclear renaissance”.