Victorian Liberal leader distances state party from Peter Dutton’s nuclear proposal: ‘Our focus is gas’ | Victoria

The Victorian opposition leader says that he discussed the language he will use to remove the State Party from the Federal Alliance campaign to build a nuclear reactor in the LaRub Valley, and tells us Peter Daton “It is your campaign.”

Coal power plant Louie Yang in Wadi LaRuber, East Melbourne is one of Seven proposed sites For the Federal Coalition’s proposal to build nuclear reactors, Central Energy Policy The federal liberal leader will go to the May 3 poll.

But in His first interview with the Guardian Australia since The liberal leader of the state became in DecemberBrad Pattin was clear to separate his team from the suggestion, saying: “Our focus is gas, let the federalists continue to get it.”

He confirmed that he did not speak to anyone in federalism Coalition About the consultation plan for two and a half years for each proposed nuclear site, with a case “barely raised” at all on the campaign path.

However, Pattin said that the conversation was conducted with Datton and his office on how to deal with questions about this policy.

He said: “I had a conversation with Datton and his office about what my language will be, which she mainly says,” We are happy to have a timely conversation. But for us, it’s your campaign at the present time. Our priority, our focus, on gas. “

Pattin said that the Federal Coalition will need a state parliament to cancel the 1983 Victoria Nuclear Activities Law, which prohibits the construction and operation of nuclear facilities in the state. When asked if he would be happy with this law that was canceled, he said: “I will tell you on May 4.”

Without the support of the state parliament, Patin said that the Datton government will clarify a “difficult process” under Article 109 of the Constitution, which allows federal law to bypass the state law in the conflict case.

He has The campaign was launched on SundayDatton pledged that Australia would become a “nuclear powered nation” under the alliance if elected. He said that the nuclear energy will reduce the need for “sprawling solar energy and wind or a decline in 28,000 km of transport lines.”

However, Pattin said that most Victorians wanted cheaper energy, but “I don’t know what is the answer to that yet.”

He said that, like gas, in Gibelsland and Utawi ponds in Victoria Relationship continuesThe state must give priority to expand wild gas exploration instead.

Comments define a shift in the Battin tone, which spent months holding a carefully specific situation that the Victorian coalition was open to a “adult conversation” about politics. He also repeatedly refused to present a personal point of view on nuclear energy.

It contradicts the position taken by the Prime Minister of Queensland, David Cricoolly, who excluded the cancellation of the nuclear embargo of his term during the elections last year.

Luke Helakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Victorian Conservative Council, said Pattin “retains a dimension” from the policy of the Federal Alliance, saying it “may appeal to other places, but not here in Victoria.”

Victoria has a long history of opposition to nuclear energy – including a period in the 1980s when the numbers panels carried the slogan “VIC – Nuclear Free State”.

Battin only appeared alongside Dutton once since the start of the federal campaign, in a chance of photos at the CAULFIELD gas station.

Guardian Australia was told that while all who was and Dutton were former police officers, “We also have a lot of differences.”

He said, “I grew up differently to Peter.” “I have faced challenges that Peter may not face and I think the changes are you.”