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Maeve Bannister

Coalition goes nuclear with its climate change response

The coalition says it wants to discuss nuclear technology with voters before the next election. (AP PHOTO)

Nuclear energy will be a signature part of the coalition's climate change policy put to voters at the next federal election. 

The coalition will push nuclear as a "credible path" to net-zero emissions targets which it says requires a broad range of energy sources. 

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the opposition wanted to have a conversation with Australians about nuclear technology evolving in other parts of the world. 

The technology would be "a decade away" for Australia, but Mr Littleproud said that didn't matter because there was no need for the nation to rush towards its emissions reduction targets.

"This government is racing to net-zero by 2030. Our only international commitment is to get to net-zero by 2050. So let's pause, let's plan, let's get this right," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"Let's get industry to understand the opportunities that are there and then let's create the environment by simply taking away this moratorium that's been put in place and allow the market to decide." 

But Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen questioned why a coalition claiming to be economically rational would propose the most expensive form of energy as a way to reduce prices. 

"We look forward to the costings and the locations of the nuclear power stations when the shadow minister releases them," he said.

The Albanese government has ruled out nuclear power due to its expense and slow rollout time. 

Instead it will go ahead with renewable projects to transition the nation away from coal and gas energy sources. 

Liberal climate spokesman Ted O'Brien, who is leading the opposition's work on nuclear power, accused the government of using flawed economic modelling to promise cheaper power bills from renewables. 

Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan said consultation on the nuclear policy would take place before the 2025 election. 

"We're developing policy to make sure that we can meet our commitment of net-zero by 2050 and we think that there should be a broad range of energy mix to be able to deal with that," he said.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young described the coalition's idea as a "bonkers" policy and challenged Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to a debate on the issue. 

"If Peter Dutton really wants to go to the next election saying that there's going to be a nuclear power station in every suburb across the country, then go for it, mate," she said. 

"Australians don't want to see nuclear power.

"We know what we already have - it's cheaper, it's cleaner, it's safer - is the transition to renewables." 

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