Liberals Against Nuclear today congratulated the Liberal Party leadership on taking a principled stand by refusing to cave to the Nationals' demands to lock in nuclear power, resulting in the Coalition's first formal split in 38 years.
"This is a crucial moment for the Liberal Party and a very encouraging sign that the party leadership is listening," said Andrew Gregson, spokesperson for Liberals Against Nuclear.
"Australian voters sent a clear message at the ballot box – the nuclear policy was economically irresponsible and contrary to Liberal values. We read today's development as a promising indication that the Liberal Party, under Sussan Ley's leadership, is preparing to abandon this costly policy mistake. Even Matt Canavan, the first to admit the policy was just a 'political fix', knows this was a policy that papered over political problems but failed the national interest."
Mr Gregson noted that the Liberals' stand was particularly significant given it came at the cost of the formal Coalition arrangement that has existed for nearly four decades.
"The Liberal Party suffered its worst defeat since its founding, losing more than a dozen seats and being all but wiped from our capital cities. It's clear evidence that to Australian Liberals, there is no room for nuclear in the big tent. "By allowing the Nationals to 'go on a journey of rediscovery' without imposing the Liberal Party's will, as Mr Littleproud described it, our new leadership has signalled a return to genuine Liberal values of fiscal responsibility and smaller government."
Mr Gregson said the party's willingness to stand on principle rather than political expediency was precisely what was needed to begin rebuilding voter trust.
"The nuclear policy represented a fundamental contradiction of our core principles – requiring massive government intervention, taxpayer subsidies, and expanded bureaucracy. By refusing to lock this policy in, our leadership has taken the first step toward reconnecting with our traditional values.
"This is a positive sign for all Liberals who believe in the party's future. We look forward to the formal announcement that nuclear energy has been consigned to the policy dustbin where it belongs."
