2024-12-13
The Greens say Dutton’s nuclear announcement is a con job for coal that will drive up costs for regional communities and set back action on climate change, putting millions of Queenslanders at greater risk of catastrophic weather events.
Comments attributable to Gladstone-based Greens spokesperson on Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
“The LNP’s dangerous nuclear delusion will delay the energy transition and prolong the life of coal and gas, which are heating the planet, poisoning our communities and taking a growing chunk out of everyone’s pay cheques.
“This is a dangerous and costly distraction. Even the LNP knows that nuclear power will never happen – they're just using it to keep coal-fired power going even longer so their corporate masters can keep cashing in.
“Regional Queensland is already getting on with building renewables to bring down power prices. Communities like mine in Gladstone are at the forefront of the energy transition and people here are excited about the future.
“Regional Queensland deserves better than Peter Dutton’s snake oil sales pitch. We need certainty and a path to renewables, not the chaos and confusion of a half-cooked nuclear daydream.
“The LNP want nuclear, and Labor wants coal and gas. Only the Greens want renewable energy and meaningful support for regional communities like mine in Gladstone.”
Comments attributable to Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:
“Peter Dutton’s nuclear delusion is a dangerous con job. It’s just a cover up for more coal, and it’s a threat to people’s safety. If his pipe dream is ever built it means a radioactive risk will hang over the whole country," Mr Bandt said.
“Every time Peter Dutton pushes his dangerous delusion, remember Chernobyl, remember Fukushima.
“Peter Dutton has offered no guarantee that nuclear is safe, because he can’t.
“Nuclear is not safe. Coal and gas are not safe, but wind and solar are. A clean energy future is the only safe future.”
“Peter Dutton will keep kicking the nuclear can down the road, while continuing Labor’s approvals of new coal and gas projects and keeping climate pollution rising.
“Peter Dutton’s plan will keep coal in the system for longer and make climate change worse.
“It’s unsafe, it means more climate pollution and the Greens will fight it tooth and nail.”