The politicians who are pro-nuclear, until it’s in their backyard

Over the weekend, voters in the safe Nationals seat of Bathurst were being polled on whether they would be happy with a nuclear reactor in their backyard. It was slightly awkward for the local MP and former deputy premier Paul Toole.

He has broken ranks with his federal Nationals leader, David Littleproud, who last year said he would welcome a nuclear power plant in his south-west Queensland seat of Maranoa. Toole last week told his NSW Nationals party room that, on second thoughts, he does not back nuclear. Aside from taking a contrarian position to most things supported by Dugald Saunders, his successor as state Nationals leader, this is a big one.

The now-shuttered Liddell power station in the Upper Hunter is also on the list, along with its neighbour Bayswater, although AGL – the biggest owner of coal-fired power stations in Australia – has already told Dutton that it wants no part in his nuclear push.In his victory speech in 2022, incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged that “together we can end the climate wars”. Two years later, the end is no closer. Rather, the climate wars are only heating up.

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