QLD opposition leader rules out repeal of state nuclear ban

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Coalition's proposal has been met with opposition from state leaders in Queensland. David Crisafulli has ruled out repealing the state's nuclear ban if he wins government, putting the state LNP at odds with its federal colleagues.

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00:00On the ground in coal country, news of the Coalition's plan for a nuclear plant was filtering through.

00:08Well I only heard about it when you told me, so after that I had a bit of a look at what the announcement was.

00:15The Federal Opposition is promising to build two nuclear power stations in Queensland if it wins government,

00:21including at Carlide, west of Gladstone.

00:24Grain grower Rayem Wilkie believes there are positives, but is wary.

00:28I suppose the unknown is nuclear because it's not in Australia, so no one really knows the risks or what could go wrong,

00:37or positives, negatives, anything like that, it's a bit of an unknown thing.

00:41400 kilometres away in the town of Nenango, near the second proposed site, varied views.

00:47Would you be in favour or got some questions?

00:50Probably not, I'm sort of sitting on the fence at the moment.

00:53I think it's a great idea, more employment for the local community.

00:57It has split the Queensland LNP, putting the State Opposition at odds with its federal colleagues.

01:03No, it's not part of our plan.

01:05You said nuclear isn't part of the plan now, if you win government in October.

01:10No, no, no, I've got to be really clear, it's not part of our plan.

01:15You won't look at it then?

01:16It is not part of our plan.

01:18Queensland is one of several states that have banned nuclear power.

01:22The state LNP says it won't repeal those laws if elected.

01:26Pitt knows my position on it.

01:28David Crisafulli knows that federal law overrides state law.

01:32He's been a minister in the state government.

01:35With the state election looming, National's MP Keith Pitt says Mr Crisafulli is like a cat on a hot tin roof.

01:42His former colleague Campbell Newman posted on social media,

01:45backing nuclear power, a major leadership test for David Crisafulli.

01:50I suppose it is, if you want to get down to that.

01:52How are they going to provide that power reliability?

01:56The policy split is expected to split the annual LNP convention next month.

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