For over a decade, Australia’s energy future has been held hostage by the Liberal-National Coalition. Under Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison, the government blocked renewables, failed to build new energy infrastructure, and left the nation unprepared for the transition away from fossil fuels. Now, Peter Dutton is following the same playbook—this time using nuclear power as a deliberate delay tactic to keep coal and gas dominant for as long as possible.

A Decade of Energy Inaction

The Coalition’s failure on energy isn’t just about opposing renewables. If they truly believed solar and wind were unreliable, they had a decade to build new coal or gas power stations. They did nothing.

• Tony Abbott (2013-2015) scrapped the carbon price, tried to dismantle the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and called coal “good for humanity”.
• Malcolm Turnbull (2015-2018), despite being more pro-renewables, caved to the Coalition’s fossil fuel faction and abandoned the National Energy Guarantee.
• Scott Morrison (2018-2022) famously waved a lump of coal in Parliament, resisted stronger emissions targets, and failed to prevent Australia’s 2022 energy crisis when coal power stations broke down

For nine years, the Coalition refused to commit to a serious energy plan. No investment in renewables. No new coal plants. No nuclear. Just subsidies for fossil fuel companies while Australia’s grid aged and energy prices soared.

Dutton’s Nuclear Distraction: Another Excuse to Stall

Peter Dutton is now promising nuclear power as the solution to Australia’s energy future—but it’s a mirage. Nuclear power takes decades to build, is hugely expensive, and Australia has no legal framework, expertise, or infrastructure to support it.

• The UK’s Hinkley Point C nuclear plant was approved in 2010 and is still under construction—costs have blown out to $76 billion.
• France’s Flamanville plant has been delayed for 15 years, with costs tripling.
• Even if Australia started today, nuclear wouldn’t be operational until at least 2040—far too late to meet urgent climate targets.

Dutton knows nuclear won’t be built any time soon. That’s the point. By talking about nuclear, the Coalition can delay real investment in renewables while keeping coal and gas running for decades.

Who Benefits? Follow the Money

The real winners in Dutton’s nuclear smokescreen are the fossil fuel corporations that bankroll the Liberal-National Coalition. Keeping the grid dependent on coal and gas means billions in extra profit.

• Whitehaven Coal, a major donor to the Nationals, has expansion plans that rely on delaying renewables
• Santos, one of Australia’s largest gas producers, has lobbied heavily against renewable energy.
• The Coalition has received millions in bribes donations from fossil fuel interests.

By pretending nuclear is the answer, Dutton ensures these companies keep profiting while Australia’s energy transition stalls.

The Real Solution: Embrace a Balanced Energy Future

Australia doesn’t need another decade of excuses and corporate delays. What we need is a genuine, forward-thinking energy plan—a plan that goes beyond empty promises meant to preserve business as usual. Instead of clinging to a single approach, we should invest in a balanced mix of renewable energy, robust grid infrastructure, and next-generation nuclear power.

Nuclear power is a wonderful long-term option that, if properly invested in today, could be a legacy for our children and grandchildren, it is also proving itself a vital piece in a new world driven by AI. However, what Dutton is proposing isn’t a real commitment to nuclear innovation—it’s a distraction designed to keep coal and gas in the picture while delaying true progress.

The modern world is too complicated for black-and-white solutions. Our energy grid demands a nuanced approach that leverages the strengths of multiple technologies. Renewables like solar and wind are already proving their worth, but they need to be complemented by reliable, low-carbon options such as advanced nuclear power and energy storage solutions. Any comprehensive plan that looks forward is far better than relying on lies that merely postpone necessary action.

By embracing a diversified energy strategy, Australia can meet its urgent needs, reduce emissions, and build a sustainable future without compromising on reliability or affordability.

Dutton’s nuclear push isn’t about the future—it’s about keeping coal and gas in power for as long as possible.

We can’t afford to fall for the scam again.