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Peter Dutton’s nuclear fantasy

Dec 17, 2024
Adam Morton, climate and environment editor at Guardian Australia, joins to dissect Peter Dutton's ambitious nuclear energy proposal. He critiques the Coalition's plan to build seven nuclear power stations, pointing out its staggering costs compared to Labor's renewable strategy. Morton argues that the framework lacks credibility and fails to address Australia's pressing climate crisis. The discussion highlights the contrasting visions for energy futures, raising important questions about feasibility and infrastructure challenges.
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INSIGHT

Coalition's Nuclear Plan

  • The Coalition proposes a "coal to nuclear" plan, building seven nuclear reactors on existing coal plant sites.
  • This contrasts with Labor's "coal to renewables" approach.
INSIGHT

Cost Comparison

  • The Coalition claims their nuclear plan would cost $331 billion, significantly less than Labor's $594 billion renewable transition.
  • This cost difference is a central argument for their proposal.
INSIGHT

Apples and Oranges Comparison

  • The Coalition's and Labor's plans use different economic and energy consumption assumptions, making direct cost comparisons misleading.
  • The Coalition assumes slower change towards clean energy and lower electricity use due to fewer EVs and less industrial output.
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