New Liberal deputy leader Ted O’Brien has told ABC’s 7.30 that the Coalition’s nuclear policy is now under “review”, following the party’s crushing defeat in the federal election.
The Coalition’s election campaign included controversial plans to build seven new nuclear power plants across the nation.
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However, the party was unable to convince voters of the plan’s feasibility or costings, with Labor scoring an overwhelming majority at the polls on May 3.
Grilled by 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson on Wednesday night, O’Brien said the party would be “listening a lot” to Australians and reviewing a number of key policies, including energy.
“There is no doubt that as we now review our pathway forward, all policies, including our energy policy will be under review,” he said.
“I think that is what the Australian people would expect. And we will take our time to do it.”
“We will be listening to all of this, as we recalibrate our policies moving forward. Our priority is to get it right.”
Pushed by Ferguson on whether nuclear power would form any part of the Coalition’s future energy plans, O’Brien said, “Nor will we say any policy is accepted and locked in. Our job now is to ensure that we are understanding the message that the Australian people have sent us, and that means with need to engage with Australia, listen to Australians.
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“That is what we will be doing. That’s with a big dose of humility, I might say.”
The Coalition has this week announced Sussan Ley as its leader, with O’Brien in the deputy seat. Both backed the viability of Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan, with Ley calling it a “better pathway forward for this country”.
