Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick is again calling on Deb Frecklington and the state LNP to rule out a nuclear power plant in Queensland.
Mr Dick said seven days after he first asked the Queensland LNP to come clean with Queenslanders about their nuclear plans Deb Frecklington’s position had raised more questions than answers.
“I raised this in Estimates not as a “stunt” or a “diversion” as claimed by the LNP, but because the issue of nuclear power has been on the LNP’s agenda for months now,” Mr Dick said.
“Since the May federal election LNP Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and LNP Senator for Queensland James McGrath have been relentless in their push for an inquiry.
“We’ve heard Barnaby Joyce, the former deputy leader of this country, claim he’d be happy to see a nuclear reactor in his backyard.
“And former Howard minister, now chair of the Minerals Council Helen Coonan is saying the ‘nuclear option’ should be on the table.
“The Queensland LNP even passed a policy motion at their recent state convention calling on the federal government to consider the feasibility of nuclear power.
“Just yesterday, we heard Federal LNP Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd declare that “his area” in Central Queensland would accept a nuclear reactor – “not a problem”.
Ken O’Dowd’s “area” – his federal electorate – includes part of Deb Frecklington’s own electorate of Nanango.
Deb Frecklington’s silence – and that of her colleagues the LNP Member for Bundaberg, David Batt and the LNP Member for Burnett Steven Bennett has been deafening.
“The only conclusion from their silence must be that they support the LNP’s nuclear campaign for Queensland.
“Instead of going nuclear at their federal LNP counterparts for pushing to build reactors in Queensland, state LNP members should fight for our state.
“They’d rather take their marching orders from Canberra than stand up for the people of Queensland.
“And nuclear is not the answer for cheaper power prices.
“Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkle says it will cost far more per megawatt hour than coal, wind or solar.
“It would take 20 years to build a nuclear plant, which would come with a billion-dollar price tag for the state.
“Meanwhile, the safety issues of nuclear power are deadly serious. Just ask the people of Fukushima or Chernobyl.
“Nuclear is not cheap, it’s not safe, and it’s potentially destructive to key Queensland industries like agriculture and tourism.
“Nuclear and the LNP just aren’t worth it.”
