4 days Ago By The Guardian
The Victorian Nationals have left the door open to working with a Dutton government to build a nuclear reactor in the Latrobe Valley, as the Liberal leader, Brad Battin, was urged to “get a spine” and rule out a repeal of the state’s nuclear ban. In an interview with Guardian Australia , Battin distanced the Victorian Coalition from Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan, saying the state opposition was instead focused on expanding onshore gas exploration. But Battin refused to say whether he would support overturning the state’s legislation banning the construction and operation of nuclear facilities.
He said the Victorian Coalition would decide its position only after the federal election on 3 May. The Victorian Nationals leader, Danny O’Brien, similarly said the state Coalition had “no plans to introduce nuclear power”, but he was open to working with a future federal government if it decided to lift its own ban. “It may be that a future Commonwealth government initiates a discussion about nuclear power, noting there is currently a Commonwealth moratorium on nuclear energy,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I am open to sensible discussions about future energy supplies.” O’Brien added the entire Gippsland community, which takes in the Latrobe Valley, would need to be involved in any conversations about nuclear energy in the area. The Victorian Nationals have previously showed more openness to nuclear than their Coalition partners.
At its state conference in 2024, a motion calling on Victorian National party MPs to support their federal colleagues and “promote the advantages of nuclear energy” passed with majority support. A week later in parliament, the Nationals MP Emma Kealy said “any responsible government” should be exploring all energy options. She described nuclear as “a form of safe and reliable energy”.
In 2023, under the previous leader, John Pesutto, the Coalition supported a bill introduced by the Libertarian MP David Limbrick in the upper house that sought to repeal the nuclear prohibition legislation, arguing it limited the state’s involvement in the defence, space and minerals industries. However, Guardian Australia understands the issue is more divisive in the Liberal party room. Several MPs said they would push for a vote on its position in the event of a Dutton government.
One Liberal MP said there were a “variety of views” within the party room on nuclear energy, with some supportive and others “absolutely in opposition”. They pointed to the former leader Matthew Guy, who told parliament in 2023 that members of his own family died from the effects of the Chornobyl disaster. “While he’s the most vocal, he’s not the only one who has reservations,” the MP said.
Another Liberal MP said it was important the party’s position on nuclear was “not a captain’s call”. Related: Victorian Liberal leader distances state party from Peter Dutton’s nuclear proposal: ‘Our focus is gas’ The deputy premier, Ben Carroll, said there was “no social licence for nuclear” in Victoria and claimed Battin had refused to take a clear position due to internal divisions within the Coalition. “He needs to get a spine,” he said.
“Take a leaf out of David Crisafulli in Queensland’s book, Brad. At least he had the guts to come forward and say he doesn’t support nuclear. “For Brad to say he’s deferring his decision until 4 May after the federal election, just goes to show Brad is more interested in keeping his party room together and the National party and Coalition together and he is letting Victorians know where he stands.
” Battin responded by reaffirming the Victorian Coalition’s “focus on gas”. Meanwhile, Dutton batted away questions about Battin’s comments during a visit to Melbourne on Tuesday. He said the Coalition does “not shy away from” nuclear energy, though he refused to say how much it would cost to shut down old coal plants to make way for nuclear reactors.
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