Matthew Guy backs Peter Dutton on nuclear: ‘No state should stand in his way’

The Victorian Liberal Party’s “fence-sitter” approach on the nuclear debate has ruffled feathers in the partyroom and a former opposition leader has weighed in with a pointed comment.

The Victorian Liberal Party is divided over Peter Dutton’s plan to build a nuclear power plant in the Latrobe Valley, with party leadership under fire for refusing to take a position.

Despite Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Nationals Leader Peter Walsh portraying a united front on Wednesday, Liberal insiders say the “fence-sitter” approach has ruffled feathers in the partyroom, as well as among veteran party members.

Multiple MPs and senior Liberal sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mr Pesutto’s refusal to take a position did not reflect the view of the party.

Mr Pesutto was the only state Liberal leader who had so far refused to reveal his position on nuclear following Mr Dutton’s announcement, claiming it was too early to decide.

John Pesutto has refused to take a position on nuclear. Picture: Ian Currie

His Queensland counterpart, David Crisafulli, doubled down on his anti-nuclear stance, while NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman said he was “open to lifting the ban to allow nuclear power … if feasible”.

Mr Pesutto on Wednesday said the party had “no plans” for nuclear but said he would not be “foreclosing that discussion or any aspect of it.”

“I anticipate there will be a long and detailed discussion involving all Australians,” he said.

“Myself, I’ll be involved, my colleagues will be involved in that national discussion, but I think we just have to understand that methodically there are a number of steps that need to be passed before all of this unfolds.”

Mr Pesutto said his party’s position would be formalised ahead of the 2026 state election.

The Coalition is planning to build seven nuclear power plants across Australia, including one at Loy Yang in the Latrobe Valley. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

In stark contrast, former Liberal leader Matthew Guy backed the federal opposition leader on Thursday, saying “no state should stand in his (Peter Dutton) way”.

“If you think I’m going to turn up to the back of parliament to bag my federal colleagues, I’ve got news for you, no I won’t be,” he said.

“If Peter Dutton wins the next federal election he’ll come armed with a mandate, a very powerful mandate, a mandate from the Australian people.”

“And he will have every right to implement his mandate and no state government will have the right to stand in his way.

Matthew Guy has come out in support of Peter Dutton. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Guy’s strong show of support came despite his anti-nuclear stance.

During a speech in May last year, Mr Guy said he was “probably the only person whose family members died from the effects of Chernobyl” and therefore was “not in favour of nuclear power at all”.

He, however, said the topic was “exceptionally worthwhile to debate”.

The Herald Sun understands the former Liberal leader is one of few in the party to be opposed to nuclear power.

One Liberal MP said the party should have “come out in clear support of Dutton and nuclear”.

“He (John) has undermined the federal team,” he said.

He noted that this was not the first time the party had been “afraid to give a position”.

“It’s not a good look sitting on the fence,” he said.

“You can’t please everyone.”

Another MP said the party was “overwhelmingly in support of nuclear power and should have “come out of the gates strong” while another said her office had been “fielding many calls from constituents” about leadership’s decision not to commit to a position.

A senior Liberal source accused Mr Pesutto of throwing his federal colleagues “under the bus”.

“We’re all hoping John has an absolute political masterpiece of a strategic plan if it includes throwing his Federal colleagues under the bus and completely vacating the energy policy space to Labor,” he said.

“Party members and Liberal voters across the state wait with bated breath for its unveiling.”

Deputy Liberal Leader David Southwick on Thursday said he was “open” to nuclear power and wouldn’t “rule out” the energy source.

“I think we should be having these discussions,” he said.