Key question Peter Dutton refuses to answer about his nuclear plan

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

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

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

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

“One of the main reasons is that the people in those communities know that they will leave when the coal runs out and that we have the ability to sustain heavy industry, we have the ability to keep the lights on.”

A recent report by peak 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 about the location of up to seven proposed energy sites, which there is speculation include sites in two seats held by the Liberals and four or five seats held by the Nationals.

Potential sites include Latrobe Valley and Anglesea in Victoria, Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Collie in WA, Port Augusta in South Australia and potentially a plant in the south-west Queensland electorate of Maranoa, held by the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud.

Asked about the location of the sites, Mr Dutton said: “We have said we are looking at between six and seven sites, and we will make an announcement at a time of our choosing, not at a time of Labor’s choosing.”

When asked if a power plant would be installed at each of the unspecified sites, Dutton did not answer directly, saying only that he would consider production and environmental impact.

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

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

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

Asked directly whether he would consider an interim 2035 reduction target, which would be legally required under the 2015 Paris agreement, the Liberal leader said he would “take advice” from the Treasury before changing climate legislation, citing concerns about economic situation of the nation.

“I think we take a look at all that information and if there are settings that we need to change… that doesn’t mean leaving Paris or moving away from our clear commitment to be net zero emissions by 2050,” he said.

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 said Dutton’s comments were “scandalous” and argued watering down climate commitments would damage Australia’s standing with its international allies.

“To be completely honest, it’s out of the ordinary,” Farrell said Sunday.

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