Labor ramps up nuclear power scare campaign in final weeks of campaign

Anthony Albanese plans to blow up the nuclear power issue as he heads into the final 10 days of the campaign.

Anthony Albanese plans to blow up the nuclear power issue as he heads into the final 10 days of the campaign as Labor plots to drive up its vote in the hope of securing a majority government.

Despite predictions at the beginning of the campaign that the Prime Minister has no chance of being re-elected with a majority in the House of Representatives, the ALP now believes it’s within reach with the Labor vote coming back in Victoria.

Nuclear power has been a sleeper issue throughout the campaign with Labor’s first negative ads focusing on the issue three weeks ago.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting the Collie Battery Energy Storage System located at the Collie Power Station in the electorate of O'Connor. Collie is one of the seven proposed sites for Peter Dutton’s nuclear reactors. Picture: Mark Stewart / NewsWire

Now the ALP plans to renew focus in the final weeks of the campaign as it builds on research with voters across Australia.

News.com.au has obtained ALP focus group feedback on nuclear power that is driving the ALP’s final push with voters describing the policy as “risky”, “scary”, “far-fetched” and dangerous.

“Their nuclear policy is going to lose them the election – they haven’t thought it through - even [Dutton’s] own party is trying to get him to drop it,’’ a male voter in regional NSW said.

The cost of the policy has also concerned voters with scepticism of the economic impact and the likely cost of building nuclear reactors.

The PM is joined by Premier Roger Cook, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, WA Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and Acting CEO of Synergy Kurt Baker. Picture: Mark Stewart / NewsWire

“The Liberal’s nuclear policy is very far-fetched - I was reading that Australia has never allowed nuclear reactors, so [even] opening one seems like a remote possibility. If you look at the cost analysis, with us [going from] not even having a single nuclear plant - then having to establish the whole industry. I don’t know about that,’’ a Queensland male voter told the ALP focus group.

“How is nuclear going to go? Is it safe? Why do we need it?’’ another Queensland voter said.

Female voters also raised concerns about safety and impact on local communities.

“People are scared of nuclear power,’’ one female voter said.

Voters have described the Liberal’s nuclear policy as ‘very far-fetched’. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“The Liberal focus on nuclear has put me off, I am totally against it, nuclear is not a good way to go,’’ said another Queensland voter.

A nuclear power plant doesn’t feature in everyday Aussies lives - we don’t want them going up.

ALP focus groups on nuclear power.

The Labor Party claimed this week that Peter Dutton had not visited any proposed nuclear power station site this election, while the Coalition’s reactor plan hasn’t featured in ads of most big-spending Liberal candidates on Meta.

An ALP analysis of the Opposition leader’s more than 50 campaign visits since the election was officially called found Mr Dutton has not been within 50km of any of the seven proposed reactor sites across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia or Western Australia.

But Mr Dutton disputed that, noting he had visited Bunbury and the Hunter Valley.

“I haven’t committed to nuclear energy for votes. I committed to it because it’s in the best interests of our country,” Mr Dutton said.

Asked on the campaign train if he was worried about a backlash Mr Dutton insisted he had visited Bunbury and the Hunter.

“We have spoken with the community and made our decision and we are happy to consult with people in government,’’ he said.