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Dutton says nuclear will cost $331 billion. Chalmers adds $4 trillion to that


Published on 2024-12-16 14:01:18 - Sydney Morning Herald
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  • The Coalition's nuclear power plan forecasts much lower energy use than Labor's renewables-focused policy. That could hit growth by up to 12 per cent annually.

The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the ongoing debate over nuclear energy in Australia, focusing on the financial implications as outlined by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Dutton has proposed a nuclear energy plan, estimating the cost at $331 billion over 25 years, which he claims would be offset by savings from not building new transmission lines and the benefits of cheaper electricity. However, Treasurer Chalmers has countered this by suggesting that the true cost could be significantly higher, potentially reaching $4 trillion, when considering the full scope of expenses including decommissioning, waste management, and the opportunity cost of not investing in renewable energy. Chalmers argues that this would be an enormous financial burden on taxpayers and that renewable energy remains the more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. The debate highlights the stark differences in energy policy between the opposition and the government, with implications for Australia's energy future and economic strategy.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
[ https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-says-nuclear-will-cost-331-billion-chalmers-adds-4-trillion-to-that-20241216-p5kymd.html ]