Coalition Set for ‘Robust Debate’ on Nuclear and Net Zero, Says Jacinta Price

New Deputy Liberal leader Ted O'Brien confirmed all policies including energy would be under review.

Senator and shadow minister for Indigenous Australia Jacinta Price speaks at CPAC Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 19, 2023. Wade Zhong/The Epoch Times

Newly minted Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says she expects “robust debate” within the Coalition over energy policy, including nuclear power, climate change, and the net zero target.

The Senator, who recently left the Nationals party room to join the Liberal Party, suggested nuclear energy still enjoys support within the Coalition.

“We need to stick to nuclear; it’s the cleanest, greenest energy that we have,” she said on Sky News.

“We are now many years behind, but we need to be smart in terms of our energy as well.”

The Coalition campaigned on including nuclear energy in the national energy mix, rather than renewables only, ahead of the May 3 election.

However, Labor was returned to the government, with voters backing its renewable-focused agenda.

When asked if this means sticking to net zero, Price said, “Yeah, I think we need to have all those conversations on the table as part of a party room conversation.”

Price was planning to run as deputy leader of the Liberal Party alongside Angus Taylor, but withdrew after Taylor lost the leadership ballot to Sussan Ley on May 13.

Ley was elected leader of the Liberal Party with 29 votes to 25. However, a few members who voted in the ballot will be leaving parliament on June 30.

Price said she now hopes the Liberal Party will unify behind new leader Ley.

“I'll be supporting the leadership obviously, because that’s what we have to do if we want to do a good job in Opposition.”

“We’ve got to move forward as a party, as a Coalition. There’s a lot of work that needs to occur to rebuild. I absolutely respect the outcome of what the party room decided. My concern is the state of the country under three more years of Labor.”

The Senator also said she did not regret leaving the Nationals party room.

“I wanted to become a Liberal Party member when I was first elected and there were blocks in the way at that point. I was new to the game but I absolutely feel like I am in my home.”

Ahead of the election, the Coalition announced plans to build seven zero-emissions nuclear power plants across multiple states including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Currently, nuclear power remains prohibited by Australian law, but Coalition leaders have argued for lifting the moratorium.

New Leadership Promises Policy Review

Meanwhile, the new deputy leader of the Liberal Party Ted O'Brien said all policies including energy would be under review.

“I think that’s what the Australian people would expect and we will take our time to do it,” he said on May 14.

O'Brien said the Coalition needs to be driven by data and evidence and take the time to listen to the Australian people humbly.

“The Australian people did send a message on the 3rd of May and as a party, we understand that what we now need to understand is where the Australian people are at,” he said.

“Because we need to meet people where they are at, and that requires us to listen and to learn, so that the Liberal Party can reflect modern Australia as we move forward.”

Ley also sought to avoid internal conflict over climate policy. In her first press conference as leader, she said, “There won’t be a climate war. There will be sound and sensible consultation.”

Bowen Promises to Keep Building Clean Reliable Energy

Labor’s strategy remains centered on achieving 82 percent of electricity from renewable energy including wind, solar, and hydro by 2030, and net zero by 2050.

Chris Bowen was reappointed as Minister for Climate Change and Energy for the second time on May 13. He said over the next three years, Labor would continue building the “clean, reliable” energy grid endorsed by the Australian people.

“A grid powered by renewable energy, backed by gas, batteries, and pumped hydro. This approach is backed by expert advice, and our government has acted on that advice,” he said.

Bowen also said the government would deliver on multiple key election commitments, including rebates and providing a $150 rebate on household electricity bills.

“From 1 July, our Cheaper Home Batteries policy will come into effect, providing a 30 percent rebate on the cost of a typical home battery—helping more families take control of their power bills and benefit from rooftop solar,” he said.