The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, has accused his LNP opponent, David Crisafulli, of using “weasel words” for refusing to commit to defend the state’s ban on nuclear power in court.
Crisafulli has promised not to amend or repeal the state’s ban on nuclear power, which also requires a plebiscite on any federal proposal.
But the federal LNP leader, Peter Dutton, has repeatedly suggested he could override state laws.
Asked on Monday whether he would fight his federal counterpart in the high court, Crisafuli accused the government of running a “scare campaign”.
“We put forward our energy plan, the premier can play all the games he wants,” Crisafulli said in Townsville.
“He knows my position. Our focus is we’ve got to win the state election in five days’ time, then there’ll be federal elections and multiple votes in different parliaments, in the different Houses of Parliament.”
Later that day, in Cairns, Miles said he would use “every power available to block Dutton’s plan”, including taking the issue to the high court.
“And you know David Crisafulli would not do that. He doesn’t say if he supports nuclear or opposes it, he just says it’s not in his plan,” Miles said.
“Well, that’s precisely the same answer he gives on abortion. He doesn’t say if he’s anti-abortion or pro-choice. He just says it’s not in his plan. And of course, they’re weasel words. They don’t mean anything to women. They don’t mean anything to Queenslanders who oppose nuclear energy”.
Queensland law bans nuclear power and requires a plebiscite on any federal proposal.
Crisafulli has yet to declare if he would call one if Dutton wins, or how he would vote in it.
He was asked 11 times last week why he opposes nuclear, but did not answer.
“Because it’s not part of our plan,” he said last Monday.
Dutton’s plans include replacing existing coal fired power stations at Tarong and Callide with nuclear plants. He has yet to reveal the cost of the idea, or many other details.
He also hopes to build nuclear plants in New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria, which also have state bans, and in South Australia. There is also a ban at the federal level.
