Steven Miles promises state plebiscite on nuclear power

Steven Miles would hold a state plebiscite on nuclear energy if re-elected but won’t say if he would honour the results as David Crisafulli repeats opposition to federal plan. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Premier Steven Miles would hold a state plebiscite on nuclear energy if re-elected but refused to say if he would honour the results should Queenslanders support the power push by the federal Coalition.

Mr Miles made the pledge the same day Queenslanders began heading to the polls, and said he was simply complying with the state’s obscure laws — set nearly 20 years ago — which prevent nuclear facilities from being built.

But the plebiscite would only take place if the Peter Dutton-led Coalition are elected at the federal election set to take place by May 2025.

The plan for a plebiscite offered by Steven Miles would comply with a 2007 law that requires a people’s vote on the construction of a nuclear facility. Picture: Adam Head.

The Coalition’s key energy policy involves building seven nuclear reactors across Australia, including two in Queensland by 2037.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has repeatedly said the state LNP doesn’t support the plans of their federal counterparts.

But asked on Monday why he was personally opposed to nuclear energy, Mr Crisafulli would only offer that “it’s not part of our plan”.

“I’ve mapped out since day one, what it means those — coal fired power generators have to be kept online and they have to be kept online for longer, because otherwise, Queenslanders won’t be able to afford their electricity,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli spent the day pre-polling at Caloundra and also at Noosa, where he tucked into a pie at the Noosaville Bakery, before heading to Nambour in the seat of Nicklin where he was momentarily accosted by a fed-up Queenslander wanting more help for the homeless.

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli during a press conference at Caloundra on Monday. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Nuclear energy became the latest topic Mr Crisafulli refused to be drawn on while undertaking a blitz of must-win Sunshine Coast seats, after spending last week sidestepping questions on abortion and if he would grant his MPs a conscience vote.

Queensland’s nuclear facilities prohibition laws, from 2007, require the state to go to a vote of the people about whether they support the construction of a nuclear facility once the government is satisfied the Commonwealth is set to push for one in Queensland.

Mr Miles sidestepped questions about whether he would honour the results of the plebiscite if a majority of Queenslanders voted in support of nuclear energy facilities.

“The Act requires that that plebiscite be held, and I’ve said I’ll comply with the act,” Mr Miles said.

The plebiscite is only likely to be an issue if the Coalition wins the next federal election. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He confirmed he had not discussed a date with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and clarified the plebiscite would only happen if Mr Dutton took on the top job.

A Courier-Mail YouGov poll in July this year found two out of five Queenslanders support Mr Dutton’s plan of transforming coal-fired power stations into nuclear reactors.

The YouGov poll shows support for Mr Dutton’s plan is strongest in rural electorates (47 per cent support), among men (60 per cent support), LNP voters (60 per cent support) and those aged above 35.

A third of Queensland Labor voters were also supportive of the Coalition’s plan.

Originally published as Steven Miles promises state plebiscite on nuclear power