Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been informed by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan that she will not be engaging in negotiations for a nuclear power facility in her state.
Gippsland residents in Traralgon, who organised a spontaneous protest outside federal MP Darren Chester’s office, expressed relief at her decision to oppose the scheme.
One person remarked, “We just don’t need it; there’s enough renewable energy.”
Their state parliament delegate is unsure and claims he wants to further his education. Martin Cameron, the MP for Morwell, responded, “It’s a hard one to actually say,” when asked about his position.
“It’s nothing to be scared about, I don’t think.” Labour is putting pressure on the state coalition to halt the proposal. “Nuclear energy is dangerous and toxic,” Allan declared.
John Pesutto, the leader of the opposition, stated he would wait to see how the discussion develops.
“We have no plans for it, but we acknowledge the a future government may initiate that discussion, I don’t think we should be foreclosing that discussion,” Pesutto stated.
Danny Pearson, the Labour Minister, stated that Pesutto “has 24 hours to show some spine”.
The state’s codified nuclear ban is the largest obstacle to Dutton’s idea.
It would need to be challenged in court or repealed by a state government that shared similar views.
