‘This isn’t a scare campaign’: Minister backs nuclear ‘postcard’

State Development Minister Cameron Dick has defended a controversial ‘postcard’ showing a massive nuclear cooling tower dominating the Surfers Paradise skyline

STATE Development Minister Cameron Dick has defended Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s ‘postcard’ showing a massive nuclear cooling tower dominating the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Mr Dick rubbished constructing a nuclear power plant “on our world famous Gold Coast” or anywhere in Queensland.

The doctored image shared by Anthony Albanese on Facebook.

“Anthony Albanese is on the money. This isn’t a scare campaign,” he said.

“We are responding to an ongoing, serious push by the LNP to create a nuclear state in Australia.

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“Deb Frecklington and Gold Coast LNP MPs need to stand up and say no to Queensland being that nuclear state.”

Mr Albanese shared the doctored image – which reads “Beautiful one day, nuclear the next” – to highlight potential impacts of nuclear after Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the Federal Government had an “open mind” about the power source.

Queensland Minister for State Development Cameron Dick says Anthony Albanese is on the money. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Mr Dick said there has been a “relentless push for a nuclear Queensland” from the LNP.

“Do Ros Bates, John-Paul Langbroek and Ray Stevens have an open mind too? Do Sam O’Connor, Michael Hart and David Crisafulli want a reactor in their backyards? Do Jann Stuckey and Michael Crandon want to see a nuclear plant on the Coast?” he said.

“The Gold Coast is world-renowned for its beaches, lifestyle and beauty.

“Building a nuclear reactor on the Gold Coast would irreparably damage the Coast’s tourism image, and damage the economic prospects and lifestyle of almost one million Queenslanders.”

Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese claims if the Federal Government had its way the Gold Coast would resemble his photoshopped image. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Labor Government “unequivocally ruled out nuclear power anywhere in Queensland”.

“And we will fight for every Queenslander on this issue,” he said.

“It’s not cheap, it’s not safe, it would destroy our tourism industry and it isn’t the answer to lower power prices.”

But Deputy Leader Tim Mander said the Queensland LNP would not invest in nuclear power.

“I can categorically state that the State LNP has ruled out any investment in any nuclear power station,” he said.

“It will not happen in Queensland under an LNP government.”

Deputy Leader Tim Mander says the Queensland LNP will not invest in nuclear. Picture: Tara Croser.

Mr Dick said Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkle believes nuclear would “cost far more” per megawatt hour than coal, gas, wind or solar.

He said the Queensland Government planned to build a new industry based on green hydrogen generated from renewable power.