New Opposition leader Angus Taylor has signalled the Coalition will continue to push for nuclear energy in Australia, despite a parliamentary inquiry’s interim findings that nuclear power generation in Australia would be too late and too costly.
Related article: Coalition splits over key issues, including nuclear power
Taylor, who was the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction in the former Coalition Government, took leadership of the Liberal party after ousting Sussan Ley in a spill last week.
News reports of his victory saw a mass trolling of Taylor, with commenters posting, “Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus” on social media and online—a reference to a social media blunder where Taylor accidentally commented support for himself on his own post, seemingly forgetting to switch to a different account.
The Coalition’s continued support of nuclear energy has been a source of contention between the Nationals and Liberals.
In May last year, the Coalition split briefly, with Nationals leader David Littleproud and then Liberal leader Sussan Ley failing to resolve the Coalition’s stance on several key issues, including nuclear power.
Another split came in January this year, with the Nationals quitting the Coalition for the second time in less than a year, and for just the third time in history, before the parties resolved to mend things.
Related article: Nuclear inquiry interim report says nuclear too late, too costly
Whether or not the Coalition will officially announce its support for nuclear energy in Australia remains to be seen, with Taylor set to announce his new shadow cabinet this week.
