Key question Peter Dutton refuses to answer about his nuclear power plan

Peter Dutton has again refused to reveal key details about the coalition’s nuclear energy policy, stating he would consider announcing his alternative 2035 emissions reduction target if the government were to release modeling on interim climate targets.

In a fiery interview on Sunday with Sky’s Sunday Agenda host Andrew Clennell, the federal opposition leader turned defensive after being pressured to reveal the locations and costs of his six proposed nuclear power stations.

Mr Dutton said he would unveil the opposition’s energy plan within “weeks” in March, but again declined to set out the full details of his vision for Australia’s energy transition.

“What we have said, the locations we are looking at are only those locations where coal-fired power stations are at the end of their life,” he told Sky on Sunday.

“One of the biggest reasons is that people in those communities know that if coal goes and we have the ability to keep heavy industry going, we have the ability to keep the lights on.”

A recent report from leading scientific body CSIRO suggested that building a large-scale nuclear power plant in Australia that would power the entire country (pictured, Sydney)

A recent report from leading scientific body CSIRO suggested that building a large-scale nuclear power plant in Australia would cost at least $8.5 billion and take at least 15 years.

The Coalition has refused to confirm reports on the locations of up to seven proposed power stations, including, according to speculation, locations with two Liberal seats and four or five Nationals-held seats.

Possible locations include the Latrobe Valley and Anglesea in Victoria, the Hunter Valley in NSW, Collie in WA, Port Augusta in South Australia, and possibly a factory in the electorate of Maranoa in south-west Queensland, owned by Nationals- leader David Littleproud.

When pressed on the locations of the venues, Mr Dutton replied: “We have said we are looking at six to seven locations, and we will make an announcement at the time of our choosing, not at the time that Labor chooses.”

Asked whether a power station would be located at each of the unspecified locations, Mr Dutton did not answer directly, saying only that he would take production and environmental impacts into account.

The opposition leader was then asked whether the plants would be subsidized by the government, and responded by saying that all energy sources, except coal, would receive funding.

“We will make an announcement in due course, but I just want to say that wind and solar energy do not work without government subsidy,” he said.

In a fiery interview on Sunday with Sky’s Sunday Agenda presenter Andrew Clennell, the federal opposition leader turned defensive after being pressured to reveal the locations and costs of his six proposed nuclear power stations (stock image)

Mr Dutton also came under scrutiny this week after revealing he would oppose a legislated 2030 carbon emissions target at the next election.

When asked directly whether he would consider an interim reduction target for 2035, which would be legally required under the 2015 Paris accord, the Liberal leader said he would seek “advice” from the Treasury before changing climate legislation , citing concerns about the country’s economic situation.

“I think we need to take a look at all that information and if there are institutions that we need to change … it doesn’t mean we have to leave Paris or give up on our clear commitment to achieving net zero climate by 2050,” he said.

Mr Dutton was asked for a second time whether he would set a 2035 target, but again spoke at length about the cost of living pressures facing the country.

Trade Minister Don Farrell called Dutton’s comments “outrageous” and argued that diluted climate commitments would damage Australia’s standing among its international allies.

“It goes too far to be completely fair,” Farrell said on Sunday.

“We went into the last election committed to a 2030 target and despite what Mr Dutton might say, we are on track to achieve that target.”