Electrical Trades Union boss planning major anti-nuclear campaign ahead of the next election

Peter Dutton is bracing for a PR storm with the sparkies’ union planning a major anti-nuclear campaign ahead of the next federal election.

The powerful Electrical Trades Union is preparing to wage an all-out war against Peter Dutton’s plan for nuclear power ahead of the next federal election.

The Labor-aligned union — that is currently locked in a heated stoush with the Albanese government — has put the Coalition on notice, with National Secretary Michael Wright saying the ETU was preparing an anti-nuclear advertising campaign focused on the loss of jobs for their members.

The warning came after Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition’s nuclear policy had been fully costed and was due to be announced within the next two months.

“When I look at the next election, nuclear looms pretty large as something that jeopardises a lot of workers,” Mr Wright said.

“We will be calling out the campaign on nuclear (power) and the false promise it gives to workers.

“We would be running that campaign ourselves.”

Trades workers participate in a protest in solidarity with CFMEU. Picture: Diego Fedele

But Mr Wright denied running a ”shadow campaign” for Labor saying the union had its views on nuclear power since 2008.

“The nuclear thought bubble directly jeopardises existing jobs, that’s true whether Labor or the Liberals push nuclear.”

The ETU’s support of Labor’s policy position would come as relief for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after their workers took to the streets alongside CFMEU and Maritime Union of Australia members to fight the government’s forced administration of the CFMEU.

The rift has resulted in the ETU pulling $1m in donations from Labor and is on track to redirect at least a portion of that funding to the Greens.

The minor party raised eyebrows after Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler Mather joined workers at anti-government rallies last month.

The Electrical Trades Union. Picture: David Geraghty

But Mr Wright stopped short of saying the union would encourage its members to vote for the Greens, saying they would be leading an “issues based” at the next election. Coalition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien dismissed claims the sparkies’ anti-nuclear campaign was not at Labor’s behest.

“The cowardice of Anthony Albanese knows no bounds, now he sends the ETU out to fight against the Coalition’s energy policy,” he said.

“Let’s bring on a jobs debate comparing the Coalition’s cheap, clean and consistent energy plan to Labor’s all-eggs-in-one-basket renewables-only fantasy.”

Mr O’Brien said the coalition’s plan was focused on diversifying jobs to future proof the energy industry.

“You need a diversified set of trades to deliver the Coalition’s diversified energy mix,” he said.

“Are Labor and their ETU mates seriously suggesting there are more jobs in wind and solar? You don’t find many carparks next to wind turbines because the jobs just aren’t there.“

Originally published as Electrical Trades Union boss planning major anti-nuclear campaign ahead of the next election