Only six months after the Coalition apparently dropped its support for nuclear power following its election defeat, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said there was a need for nuclear power but it would require bipartisan political support. “We remain open to having discussions with the Government if it chooses to change its position on nuclear power,” Dr Nelson said.

The Rudd Government has seized on calls by the Deputy Opposition Leader, Julie Bishop, and other senior Liberals to reopen the nuclear debate if Australia truly wants to reduce emissions. Some Coalition MPs argue that the best way to reduce emissions is to sell uranium to China for nuclear power so it is not reliant on coal to produce energy.

The Deputy Opposition Leader told Fairfax Media that if Australia is to position itself well for a future of low emission energy, “the nation must engage in a coherent debate about the nuclear option”.