Nuclear sidelined at LNP ‘unity’ convention

The Liberal National Party has snubbed any reference to nuclear energy across 173 resolutions up for debate at its final convention before the Queensland election in October and the next federal poll.

Peter Dutton. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The Liberal National Party has snubbed any reference to nuclear energy across 173 resolutions up for debate at its final convention before the Queensland election in October and the next federal poll.

Peter Dutton and Nationals leader David Littleproud – both Queenslanders who will speak at the three-day conference in Brisbane on Saturday – last month unveiled their nuclear energy policy and plans to build up to seven zero-emissions nuclear plants.

The policy was immediately undermined by Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, who declared he would not lift the state’s nuclear ban.

Mr Crisafulli – who is expected to return the LNP to power at the October 26 election after almost a decade in opposition – said nuclear power was “not on our agenda because quite frankly that’s a matter for Canberra”. With the LNP running a small-target campaign ahead of the state election, federal cabinet minister Murray Watt on Wednesday said the “internal nuclear war threatens to derail the LNP conference”.

Senator Watt said while LNP resolutions include things such as “banning Indigenous flags at press conferences”, selling the ABC and abolishing mandatory medical certificates for drivers over 75, there was nothing supporting Mr Dutton’s nuclear policy. “LNP branch members are clearly ashamed of Peter Dutton’s costly and risky nuclear policy,” he said.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has ruled-out lifting the state’s nuclear ban if the LNP wins the October election. Picture: Lachie Millard

“The fact that not one LNP branch could muster the courage of their conviction to support Peter Dutton’s risky nuclear idea, shows what they think of the policy. We know that David Crisafulli and his state MPs won’t stand up to Peter Dutton and now it is clear that the LNP members don’t support his nuclear dream.

“If Peter Dutton can’t convince his own party members to support his risky nuclear idea, why should Queenslanders support it?”

LNP sources said Mr Dutton and Mr Littleproud would likely address energy and nuclear in their speeches.

Opposition resources spokeswoman Susan McDonald said the convention was nothing like ALP conferences that enshrine radical policies in Labor platforms.

“The LNP doesn’t have the divisions that Labor has … where motions (at ALP conferences) are moved to deliberately divide a party and expose deep chaotic divisions built around factional bosses and union heavyweights,” she said. “In contrast the LNP is a united and disciplined team which is also what people expect of their government. I think Senator Watt and Labor are disappointed by the LNP’s laser focus on policies to bring down the cost-of-living that has spiralled out of control under (Anthony) Albanese.”

The Australian understands former LNP leader and current Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg will be returned as party president unchallenged at the convention. Mr Springborg, appointed LNP president in 2021, will remain in the role to lead organisational support at the state and federal elections. The two vice-presidents roles will be challenged.

Mr Dutton and Coalition strategists are confident of maintaining the LNP’s dominance in Queensland at the next federal election, with Labor currently holding only five out of 30 seats in the state.

The LNP holds 70 per cent of federal seats in Queensland, with 21 seats. This compares with the Coalition’s 15 of 47 seats in NSW, five of 15 seats in Western Australia and nine of 39 seats in Victoria.

As revealed in The Australian this week, Queensland senator Gerard Rennick will launch a last-ditch bid at the LNP convention to save his parliamentary career.

The maverick senator narrowly lost a preselection battle last year for the third spot on the LNP’s Senate ticket, beaten by party treasurer Stuart Fraser by three votes.

Senator Rennick has spent this week rallying numbers within the LNP State Council, which meets on Friday, to refuse ratification of a state executive decision to block any further appeal.