The Don't Nuke the Climate initiative has today welcomed the clear rejection of nuclear power by Australian voters. Seven News political editor Mark Riley summed up the Coalition's problem:
"The party that chose nuclear energy as its policy has exploded in a nuclear bomb set on them by voters tonight."
The idea of domestic nuclear power is over. The Coalition now must ditch any lingering nuclear ambitions and all political parties need to move swiftly to advance a renewable energy future for our nation.
Dave Sweeney, nuclear free campaigner with the Australian Conservation Foundation, said: "Australians have rejected nuclear power and that door is now not just closed, it is welded shut. Nuclear power is too slow, too risky and too costly – in every way.
"The economic, environmental and community advantages of renewables have been embraced by Australians. Today we are nearly half way there with around 45% of Australia's electricity coming from renewables. Our job – and the governments mandate ‒ is to speedily, sensibly and sustainably advance the renewable energy future.
"It's time to stop playing politics with nuclear distractions and delays. It's time to get on with the clean energy transition, effective climate action and building an energy future that is renewable, not radioactive."
Dr. Jim Green, national nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said:
"There is overwhelming evidence that the Coalition lost votes and seats because of its nuclear power policy.
"Polling by the Liberals Against Nuclear group demonstrated the nuclear policy's drag on the Coalition's vote in marginal seats and across the nation.
"Forty-six percent of voters in Peter Dutton's electorate of Dickson said they were less likely to vote for Mr. Dutton because of the nuclear power policy.
"In 2007, the Coalition took a pro-nuclear power policy to the election but suffered a large swing against it and lost the election with leader John Howard losing his seat. Yesterday, the Coalition suffered a large swing against it and lost the election with leader Peter Dutton losing his seat.
"The lesson should be clear. The Coalition's nuclear power policy must be buried once and for all."
