Peter Dutton’s nuclear option set to include large-scale reactors

The Coalition’s energy plan is likely to include not just small-modular reactors, in a policy that will go to shadow cabinet.

Illustration: Emilia Tortorella

The Coalition’s energy plan is likely to include next-generation large-scale nuclear reactors – not just the small-modular reactors – in a policy that will go to shadow cabinet next month as a detailed and costed proposal.

Opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien told The Australian that the Coalition’s energy policy would likely not be limited to the small modular reactors still in development but would also include larger next-generation nuclear power plants as part of a broader energy mix.

“I wouldn’t touch old Soviet-era nuclear reactors with a barge pole, but new and emerging nuclear technology is something else altogether,” he said. “Any coal-to-nuclear strategy should consider different types of new and emerging nuclear technologies, from advanced micro reactors to small modular reactors and next-generation large reactors.”

The policy would be taken to shadow cabinet before being presented to a backbench committee as well as the partyroom before the May budget.

The Coalition pursuing nuclear options won the backing of Australia’s largest private hotelier Jerry Schwartz. The richlister said “nuclear is a fantastic option for Australia’s energy industry”.

“There is a misconception nuclear is bad, but it is so good for the atmosphere particularly when you use solar and wind power and you need to supplement that energy with another source of power such as nuclear and it shouldn’t be coal,” Dr Schwartz said. “I have always been behind nuclear.”

Former Snowy Hydro chief executive Paul Broad said the ban on nuclear should be lifted. “The European debate is all about ­nuclear. They can’t get renewables to work at the scale that they need. But let the market decide,” Mr Broad said.

“If (Energy Minister) Chris Bowen is right, and nuclear is too expensive then the market won’t build them.”

Anthony Albanese on Monday dismissed the opposition’s push for nuclear to be part of the nat­ion’s energy mix as a distraction.

“It doesn’t add up,” the Prime Minister told FIVEAA radio.

“This is just an excuse for in­action on cheaper and cleaner ­energy.”

While the Coalition is united behind the plan to legalise nuclear energy, there are divisions in the broader strategy of energy policy including on whether to take 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction targets to the election.

The Australian has spoken to several moderate MPs who believe the opposition needs to resist calls from the Nationals and some Liberals to avoid going to the election with a medium-term target and ill-defined policy proposals.

Liberal MP James Stevens urged the Opposition Leader to unveil a suite of thorough and fully thought-out energy policies focused on reducing emissions and keeping energy costs low.

“I look forward to our Coalition policy underpinned by initiatives like embracing nuclear power being fully and comprehensively laid out so people can judge between Labor’s spin and targets versus Coalition policy detail,” Mr Stevens told The Australian.

Former Liberal MP Katie Allen, who is vying to win back her previously blue-ribbon seat of Higgins, called for Mr Dutton to commit to a 2035 target as part of the Coalition’s energy policy it takes to the next election.

Dr Allen also backed nuclear to form part of Australia’s energy mix as it transitions to clean energy and said the opposition should consider providing a partial lift on the Environmental Protection Act that prevents the energy source to be generated.

Dr Allen said the opposition's 2035 target must be thoroughly thought out, costed and backed up by proper community consultation.

“I think the opposition should commit to a 2035 target, but there needs to be a proper consultation with the community first to understand what that target will be,” Dr Allen said.

“This needs to be a proper conversation with the community, looking at all the policy options and not just pulling numbers out of thin air. The issue needs to be thought out, costed, and with all the economic consequences looked at before committing.”

Former Liberal MP Jason Fal­inski, who is seeking to win back his NSW teal seat of Mackellar, also backed nuclear power, saying Australia was out of step with the rest of the world on how to get to net zero if it ignored the energy source.

Mr Falinski, who lost his Sydney seat of Mackellar to Sophie Scamps at the 2022 election, recently said the Coalition must take a 2035 emissions reduction target to the next federal election.

One MP said it would be “electorally mad” if Mr Dutton avoided taking a 2035 target to the next election, given the nation was likely to meet the targets anyway, as they accused the Nationals of blocking action on climate change.

“The whole idea that we wouldn’t have a target given that we’re going to meet those targets anyway is electorally mad – why wouldn’t you?” the MP said.

“It’s because Barnaby (Joyce) and the Nats wouldn’t move from 26 to 28, so people in teal seats were getting their heads ripped off … only so Keith Pitt’s margin doesn’t fall below 70 per cent.

“I think there are a lot of ­people who are frustrated that the National Party wants to continue to repeat the mistakes of the past,” the MP said.

“The Nats are the first to say we haven’t lost any seats in the past three election cycles but their behaviour has cost us in urban areas.”

Another MP said: “We need to take our own targets to the next election with our own set of ­policies.

“We are going to need a 2035 target if we’re in government but we’re also going to need a target for a percentage of renewable ­energy in the grid, vehicle emissions standards.

“What they are, I’m not sure – but they need to be better than our Paris agreement.”

The Prime Minister went to the last election promising to lower emissions by 43 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030 – a target that has now been legislated.

The government is required under the Paris Agreement to finalise a 2035 target by February 2025, which would likely come before the next election and set up a fight with Peter Dutton over climate change.

The Australian understands the government will finalise its 2035 target ahead of the UN COP29 summit in Azerbaijan this year, where it will seek to win ­support for Australia and South Pacific nations to co-host the COP31 summit in 2026.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: COLIN PACKHAM