Keith Pitt and James McGrath behind move, saying ‘we have to be able to investigate all options’

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A group of Queensland Liberal National party MPs reportedly want parliament to consider the feasibility of nuclear power in Australia.

The energy source is banned as a source of power but several Coalition MPs will put forward a motion in the Senate to create a committee to investigate using nuclear power in the energy mix.

Queensland MP Keith Pitt and his Senate colleague James McGrath are behind the push, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

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“I am not saying that there is a nuclear reactor coming to a shopping centre near you but we have to be able to investigate all options,” Pitt told the newspaper.

“All I am calling for is an inquiry as to whether it’s a feasible option to ensure we are up to date with the latest information.”

The MP says nuclear energy has helped to reduce carbon emissions and power prices in Europe, while also being a reliable source of power.

“If you want to have your cake and eat it to you have to look at every option,” he said.

But Labor’s new shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said an inquiry was not a good idea.

“I invite them now to put their hands up for which communities that they would like to see nuclear power stations built in,” he told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.

“Rather than these just being thought bubbles for the opposition to respond to, the onus is on them to outline their plans for nuclear power stations for our suburbs.”

During the federal election campaign prime minister Scott Morrison said he had no plans to reverse the ban on nuclear energy, after earlier saying he’d be open to it if the sector paid its own way.