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6 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Leaving nuclear energy to the market is 'ridiculous': Canavan
Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says leaving nuclear energy to the market is "ridiculous", calling for government-funded power plants to remain Coalition policy as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley promises to keep an open mind. Asked why the nuclear policy taken to the federal election by former opposition leader Peter Dutton to spend billions on power plants should not be discarded after voters rejected it, Senator Canavan likened the plan to the goods and services tax. "The GST was rejected by the Australian people in the early 1990s," the Nationals backbencher who unsuccessfully challenged for his party's leadership after the election told The Canberra Times. "We then went back ... a couple elections later, and argued for it and got it through." On Thursday, she named nuclear as "part of a big conversation about energy" along with net zero and emissions targets, promising to "respect the views of everyone in my party room as we work through these critically important issues". Implementing the GST is seen as part of former Liberal prime minister John Howard's legacy after he rolled out the consumption tax despite promising to "never" do so before being elected in 1996, on the grounds it had been voted down at the 1992 federal poll. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called for Australia's 2050 target to be dumped by the Coalition, describing net zero as "a straightjacket", while moderate Zoe McKenzie - fresh from defeating a teal independent challenge to her Victorian seat of Flinders - called for it to be retained. Ms McKenzie said on Thursday that net zero would be essential if her party were to have any chance of winning back inner-city seats. Ms Ley said the Liberal and National parties had decided "that removing the moratorium on nuclear power is an important first step" and that the Coalition's wider energy policy would be "about getting the balance right". "We do need, as a country, to play our part in responding to the challenges of climate change, and we do need to reduce emissions ... But that won't come, and shouldn't come, at any cost," she told 4BC radio when asked about her stance on net zero. Ms Ley agreed to Nationals leader David Littleproud's demand that support be retained for lifting the national moratorium on nuclear energy as part of a deal to reform the Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday. The two parties rejoined after a week-long split, in which Mr Littleproud protested Ms Ley's plan to review all policies taken to the election and initially sought to abandon the convention of shadow cabinet solidarity, which binds Coalition frontbenchers to agreed policy positions. Senator Canavan, who is outspoken in his opposition to Australia's net zero 2050 target, said the argument that the government should not build nuclear power stations did not hold up when big investments were being made in renewables. "What the hell is the federal government doing right now, spending billions upon billions on snowy 2.0?" he said. "This is ridiculous ... Saying 'we'll leave it to the market' - that's clearly not happening in this country. "We're in a world where the government's going to have to play a role in any energy technology ... The energy technology that's being built by the market right now in Australia, all the renewable projects are backed in some way, shape or form by government." He said the way nuclear was sold at the election had been flawed, but that the policy itself had merit. "We have to show how this will help lower power prices, how it will maintain Australian manufacturing, provide new and high-paid job opportunities to young Australians." Asked if the divisions over energy were damaging to the Coalition's chances of presenting as a viable alternative government, Senator Canavan told this masthead it was "more important that we get things right first" on the policy front. "We shouldn't put the cart before the horse. If we are prioritising unity right now at the expense of dealing with fundamental issues we have, that won't work." Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says leaving nuclear energy to the market is "ridiculous", calling for government-funded power plants to remain Coalition policy as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley promises to keep an open mind. Asked why the nuclear policy taken to the federal election by former opposition leader Peter Dutton to spend billions on power plants should not be discarded after voters rejected it, Senator Canavan likened the plan to the goods and services tax. "The GST was rejected by the Australian people in the early 1990s," the Nationals backbencher who unsuccessfully challenged for his party's leadership after the election told The Canberra Times. "We then went back ... a couple elections later, and argued for it and got it through." On Thursday, she named nuclear as "part of a big conversation about energy" along with net zero and emissions targets, promising to "respect the views of everyone in my party room as we work through these critically important issues". Implementing the GST is seen as part of former Liberal prime minister John Howard's legacy after he rolled out the consumption tax despite promising to "never" do so before being elected in 1996, on the grounds it had been voted down at the 1992 federal poll. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called for Australia's 2050 target to be dumped by the Coalition, describing net zero as "a straightjacket", while moderate Zoe McKenzie - fresh from defeating a teal independent challenge to her Victorian seat of Flinders - called for it to be retained. Ms McKenzie said on Thursday that net zero would be essential if her party were to have any chance of winning back inner-city seats. Ms Ley said the Liberal and National parties had decided "that removing the moratorium on nuclear power is an important first step" and that the Coalition's wider energy policy would be "about getting the balance right". "We do need, as a country, to play our part in responding to the challenges of climate change, and we do need to reduce emissions ... But that won't come, and shouldn't come, at any cost," she told 4BC radio when asked about her stance on net zero. Ms Ley agreed to Nationals leader David Littleproud's demand that support be retained for lifting the national moratorium on nuclear energy as part of a deal to reform the Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday. The two parties rejoined after a week-long split, in which Mr Littleproud protested Ms Ley's plan to review all policies taken to the election and initially sought to abandon the convention of shadow cabinet solidarity, which binds Coalition frontbenchers to agreed policy positions. Senator Canavan, who is outspoken in his opposition to Australia's net zero 2050 target, said the argument that the government should not build nuclear power stations did not hold up when big investments were being made in renewables. "What the hell is the federal government doing right now, spending billions upon billions on snowy 2.0?" he said. "This is ridiculous ... Saying 'we'll leave it to the market' - that's clearly not happening in this country. "We're in a world where the government's going to have to play a role in any energy technology ... The energy technology that's being built by the market right now in Australia, all the renewable projects are backed in some way, shape or form by government." He said the way nuclear was sold at the election had been flawed, but that the policy itself had merit. "We have to show how this will help lower power prices, how it will maintain Australian manufacturing, provide new and high-paid job opportunities to young Australians." Asked if the divisions over energy were damaging to the Coalition's chances of presenting as a viable alternative government, Senator Canavan told this masthead it was "more important that we get things right first" on the policy front. "We shouldn't put the cart before the horse. If we are prioritising unity right now at the expense of dealing with fundamental issues we have, that won't work." Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says leaving nuclear energy to the market is "ridiculous", calling for government-funded power plants to remain Coalition policy as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley promises to keep an open mind. Asked why the nuclear policy taken to the federal election by former opposition leader Peter Dutton to spend billions on power plants should not be discarded after voters rejected it, Senator Canavan likened the plan to the goods and services tax. "The GST was rejected by the Australian people in the early 1990s," the Nationals backbencher who unsuccessfully challenged for his party's leadership after the election told The Canberra Times. "We then went back ... a couple elections later, and argued for it and got it through." On Thursday, she named nuclear as "part of a big conversation about energy" along with net zero and emissions targets, promising to "respect the views of everyone in my party room as we work through these critically important issues". Implementing the GST is seen as part of former Liberal prime minister John Howard's legacy after he rolled out the consumption tax despite promising to "never" do so before being elected in 1996, on the grounds it had been voted down at the 1992 federal poll. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called for Australia's 2050 target to be dumped by the Coalition, describing net zero as "a straightjacket", while moderate Zoe McKenzie - fresh from defeating a teal independent challenge to her Victorian seat of Flinders - called for it to be retained. Ms McKenzie said on Thursday that net zero would be essential if her party were to have any chance of winning back inner-city seats. Ms Ley said the Liberal and National parties had decided "that removing the moratorium on nuclear power is an important first step" and that the Coalition's wider energy policy would be "about getting the balance right". "We do need, as a country, to play our part in responding to the challenges of climate change, and we do need to reduce emissions ... But that won't come, and shouldn't come, at any cost," she told 4BC radio when asked about her stance on net zero. Ms Ley agreed to Nationals leader David Littleproud's demand that support be retained for lifting the national moratorium on nuclear energy as part of a deal to reform the Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday. The two parties rejoined after a week-long split, in which Mr Littleproud protested Ms Ley's plan to review all policies taken to the election and initially sought to abandon the convention of shadow cabinet solidarity, which binds Coalition frontbenchers to agreed policy positions. Senator Canavan, who is outspoken in his opposition to Australia's net zero 2050 target, said the argument that the government should not build nuclear power stations did not hold up when big investments were being made in renewables. "What the hell is the federal government doing right now, spending billions upon billions on snowy 2.0?" he said. "This is ridiculous ... Saying 'we'll leave it to the market' - that's clearly not happening in this country. "We're in a world where the government's going to have to play a role in any energy technology ... The energy technology that's being built by the market right now in Australia, all the renewable projects are backed in some way, shape or form by government." He said the way nuclear was sold at the election had been flawed, but that the policy itself had merit. "We have to show how this will help lower power prices, how it will maintain Australian manufacturing, provide new and high-paid job opportunities to young Australians." Asked if the divisions over energy were damaging to the Coalition's chances of presenting as a viable alternative government, Senator Canavan told this masthead it was "more important that we get things right first" on the policy front. "We shouldn't put the cart before the horse. If we are prioritising unity right now at the expense of dealing with fundamental issues we have, that won't work." Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says leaving nuclear energy to the market is "ridiculous", calling for government-funded power plants to remain Coalition policy as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley promises to keep an open mind. Asked why the nuclear policy taken to the federal election by former opposition leader Peter Dutton to spend billions on power plants should not be discarded after voters rejected it, Senator Canavan likened the plan to the goods and services tax. "The GST was rejected by the Australian people in the early 1990s," the Nationals backbencher who unsuccessfully challenged for his party's leadership after the election told The Canberra Times. "We then went back ... a couple elections later, and argued for it and got it through." On Thursday, she named nuclear as "part of a big conversation about energy" along with net zero and emissions targets, promising to "respect the views of everyone in my party room as we work through these critically important issues". Implementing the GST is seen as part of former Liberal prime minister John Howard's legacy after he rolled out the consumption tax despite promising to "never" do so before being elected in 1996, on the grounds it had been voted down at the 1992 federal poll. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called for Australia's 2050 target to be dumped by the Coalition, describing net zero as "a straightjacket", while moderate Zoe McKenzie - fresh from defeating a teal independent challenge to her Victorian seat of Flinders - called for it to be retained. Ms McKenzie said on Thursday that net zero would be essential if her party were to have any chance of winning back inner-city seats. Ms Ley said the Liberal and National parties had decided "that removing the moratorium on nuclear power is an important first step" and that the Coalition's wider energy policy would be "about getting the balance right". "We do need, as a country, to play our part in responding to the challenges of climate change, and we do need to reduce emissions ... But that won't come, and shouldn't come, at any cost," she told 4BC radio when asked about her stance on net zero. Ms Ley agreed to Nationals leader David Littleproud's demand that support be retained for lifting the national moratorium on nuclear energy as part of a deal to reform the Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday. The two parties rejoined after a week-long split, in which Mr Littleproud protested Ms Ley's plan to review all policies taken to the election and initially sought to abandon the convention of shadow cabinet solidarity, which binds Coalition frontbenchers to agreed policy positions. Senator Canavan, who is outspoken in his opposition to Australia's net zero 2050 target, said the argument that the government should not build nuclear power stations did not hold up when big investments were being made in renewables. "What the hell is the federal government doing right now, spending billions upon billions on snowy 2.0?" he said. "This is ridiculous ... Saying 'we'll leave it to the market' - that's clearly not happening in this country. "We're in a world where the government's going to have to play a role in any energy technology ... The energy technology that's being built by the market right now in Australia, all the renewable projects are backed in some way, shape or form by government." He said the way nuclear was sold at the election had been flawed, but that the policy itself had merit. "We have to show how this will help lower power prices, how it will maintain Australian manufacturing, provide new and high-paid job opportunities to young Australians." Asked if the divisions over energy were damaging to the Coalition's chances of presenting as a viable alternative government, Senator Canavan told this masthead it was "more important that we get things right first" on the policy front. "We shouldn't put the cart before the horse. If we are prioritising unity right now at the expense of dealing with fundamental issues we have, that won't work."
Epoch Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Senator Matt Canavan Challenges for Nationals Leadership, Pledges to Cut Net Zero Support
Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has thrown his hat into the leadership ring against current Leader David Littleproud. Both MPs will compete for leadership of the regional-focused Nationals Party, which forms the Coalition with the Liberal Party. Every election cycle the Nationals re-elect a new leader. Canavan issued a statement on X where he listed Littleproud's achievements—including opposing The Voice and backing nuclear—but said he needed to revive the party's 'fighting spirit.' While its coalition partner lost a swathe of seats across metro electorates, the Nationals endured a smaller loss, losing the seat of Calare to former party member Andrew Gee, as well as one New South Wales Senate position. Canavan said the Nationals only did well at the election 'in comparison' to the Liberal Party. 'We failed in the task to help win government,' Canavan said. Related Story 5/8/2025 'The Nationals should return to a more forthright style that helped deliver recent election victories with campaigns on the carbon tax and Adani. 'Our policy plan failed to win over the voters so we need a new plan. I have outlined a different approach from the backbench for the past few years so I believe I am best placed to prosecute this change.' Canavan, a long-time supporter of coal power, said if successful he would scrap support for net zero. He also promised to push for new housing and economic development in the regions, as well as increase support to encourage families to have more children. 'Our nation is in decline and we risk passing on a poorer nation to our children,' he said. 'I believe that the only way to avoid this is to have a Liberal-National Coalition that not just wins elections but has the policy mandate for Australia to flourish again. 'Our plan should be based on how we can save the country, not save the party.' Canavan's announcement comes a day after he heavily criticised Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price for Price and Canavan share similar ideological views and she could have supported his push for leadership of the Nationals. However, Price's decision to switch also gives her more opportunity to sway the direction of the senior coalition party towards a more conservative direction. 'On Monday, I plan to stand for the leadership of the Nationals party to bring back our fighting spirit,' he said. Nationals leader David Littleproud speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 30, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
