The coalition has offered its strongest commitment to retaining a comprehensive nuclear energy policy since its election defeat, as the opposition leader issues policy edicts to her lieutenants.
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said there’s no doubt that nuclear can play a part in Australia after returning from a trip to the US where he spoke with experts about how nuclear could be used across the grid.
He said nuclear helped the US deal with growing demands of artificial intelligence and other technologies and there was scope for Australia to follow suit.
“There’s basically a nuclear renaissance taking place in the US. There is huge investment going into nuclear. There are huge developments that are taking place,” he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
Labor has consistently rejected plans to develop nuclear power in Australia, arguing it’s the most expensive form of energy and the nation’s power needs can be met with a mix of renewable energy and gas.
At the 2025 federal election, the coalition promised to build nuclear reactors on seven sites, and suffered its worst defeat at the ballot box in modern history.
Mr Tehan said most young Australians were still open to adopting nuclear energy, accusing Labor of running a fear campaign on the cost of the power source.
“It was a dishonest campaign, but they ran it successfully,” he said.
Moderate Liberals want a more credible emissions reduction policy after they were all but wiped out in metropolitan electorates, where climate change is a major issue among voters.
The coalition is reviewing its energy policy, including Mr Tehan conducting one for the Liberals while the Nationals run their own review of net zero.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley committed to removing a federal prohibition on the civil nuclear industry during coalition negotiations with the Nationals, who made it a red line before signing up to the political marriage.
Mr Tehan’s commitment comes amid a fierce internal debate among the coalition as MPs tussle over the future of their energy policy.
A handful are zealously fighting for a commitment to a net zero emissions target by 2050 be scrapped from coalition policy, saying there should be more of a focus on bringing down power prices.
Senior frontbencher Andrew Hastie stirred controversy over the issue by becoming the most high-profile Liberal to explicitly commit to scrapping the policy at any cost, threatening to resign from the shadow ministry if it wasn’t.
Liberals say they are frustrated by the public debate focusing on their infighting rather than attacking Labor, and some have expressed anger at a small cabal of conservative colleagues attempting to undermine Ms Ley’s leadership.
Ms Ley has since issued formal charter letters outlining key policy priorities for her shadow ministry amid the internal turmoil.
But as well as setting out key policy focuses, the letters also reinforce how shadow ministers are expected to adhere to shadow ministerial solidarity, both in how they vote in the parliament and in public comments.
A Liberal shadow cabinet member denied reports it was linked to recent turmoil, saying it simply formalised discussions every shadow minister had with their leader months ago.
“This is the end of the process that started at the time that the cabinet was first appointed,” the opposition member told AAP, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
A spokesperson for Ms Ley said the charter letters will enable the coalition to develop a clear, credible policy platform to take to the election.
“The decision reflects the leader’s intention to provide clear direction and tasking to shadow ministers beyond the conventional mirroring of government portfolios, putting the coalition on a proactive policy path.”
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
