DAVID DOWSETT [HOST]: Anyone keeping a loose end on the issue of nuclear energy last week could be convinced that it's all but a foregone conclusion that nuclear power plants are set to be rolled out across the country. Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton was definitely holding the talking stick with all the announcements on future plans. If voted into power, locations were announced, including locations at Callide in the Gladstone region and Tarong just outside of Nanango. But what does the current government have to say about nuclear? Does this meet with the current renewables energy plan? Will they consider the option themselves? Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm is with me now. Anthony Chisholm, good morning.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Good morning, David. Good to be with you.

DOWSETT: So, where does your government stand on nuclear power?

CHISHOLM: We're opposed to it, David, and what we've done since we came to government is undo the ten years of damage that was done by our predecessors who didn't have a plan and didn't actually look toward the future. So, since we've come in, we've announced our ambitious renewable energy target. We're on track to meet that and set up this country for the future as being a renewable energy superpower. All the Opposition and Peter Dutton's announcement would do is put that all at risk and actually set Australia back decades, when we're already making great progress. Now, we can't afford to delay and obfuscate, which is what the Opposition want to do.

DOWSETT: But we’re seeing the increasing cost of power. What do you say to everyday consumers struggling with the cost of living?

CHISHOLM: We understand that is really challenging and that's why the government, again, at the recent Budget, announced another $300 to help people with power bills that'll actually start from next week. So, that is a recognition of people doing it tough. But what we also know is that renewable energy is the cheapest form of new power generation and that's what we are backing in, whereas the most expensive form is nuclear.

DOWSETT: Is that proven that renewables are cheaper?

CHISHOLM: It is, absolutely, and has been consistent now for many years. So, we're backing in the cheapest form of energy, the most risky and expensive is nuclear, and that's what the Opposition want to do. But they’re also saying they won't bring it in for another 15 years. We can't afford to wait that long. We need to back the plan the current government have put in place. After ten years of delay in obfuscation and 21 energy policies that they didn't actually in land one, we have a plan. We're implementing it. We're working constructively with states across the country, including in Queensland, and that is one that is going to ensure that we put downward pressure on energy bills. But importantly, we support jobs in the regions as well.

DOWSETT: So, when will we see that downward pressure on energy bills?

CHISHOLM: Obviously, that's going to be an ongoing challenge. We're dealing with the war in Ukraine, which has obviously put significant pressure on our resources. But the evidence is clear and has been consistent now that the cheapest form of new generation, and we do need new generation, is renewable energy.

DOWSETT: So, your government says it's cheaper, but Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton claims his nuclear energy plan will cost a fraction of labor's pursuit of renewable energy. Yeah, they seem like they're ready to make some tough decisions when it comes to nuclear power. Aren't those tough decisions really what's needed?

CHISHOLM: Well, it's actually just nonsense, his claims on cost. He actually can't put a cost on it, David, so it is nonsense for him to say that it is cheaper when he can't actually put a figure on it. What we know from around the world is that it is more expensive and there are some countries that are pursuing this. The technology is not proven, it is proving expensive and we have abundant renewable resources which this government, Federal Government has been pursuing, working with State Governments constructively, which we haven't seen previously, to ensure that we can meet the demands of consumers, but also support business as well.

DOWSETT: So, are we looking at the next election being a referendum on energy?

CHISHOLM: Well, we'd be more than happy with that, David, but there isn't really two equal plans in this. The government's objectives are well set out and well thought through, and we’re working constructively with states and territories on it. The Opposition announced something last week that was a fig leaf of a policy. It was a couple of pages. There was no detail, there was no cost and each day that goes by, more questions are being asked about it. So, it isn’t actually an alternative plan. It's a press release without any details.

DOWSETT: The response to Peter Dutton's plan has been interesting, but are you surprised there wasn't more opposition and backlash to the plan?

CHISHOLM: Well, I think that's building, David, because they can't actually put the meat on the bones about what this means, how much it costs. Is it going to be one reactor or two reactors in some of these locations. So, it isn't thought through and all this is going to do is put at risk the good work that is already happening, the investment in renewables, because it is going to cause uncertainty for the next twelve months until that election is held. So, I'd urge the people in the region to consider what the government has done and understand that that is the better way forward for that region, but also the rest of Australia as well.

DOWSETT: I'm sure the arguments will continue right up to the election. Anthony Chisholm, thanks very much.

CHISHOLM: Thanks, David.

ENDS