Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP has launched a petition against nuclear reactors in Eastern Victoria – with locals strongly opposed to the Liberal National Coalition’s latest idea. 

The Federal and Victorian Liberal National parties have bizarrely suggested Victoria use nuclear reactors in locations such as Anglesea and the Latrobe Valley. 

Conversations Mr McIntosh has had in Eastern Victoria show that locals are strongly against the plan. 

Around 38 per cent of Victoria’s electricity came from clean renewable energy in 2023, with the state on track to reach Labor’s target of 95 per cent by 2035. Victoria’s world leading targets have brought billions in potential investments to Victoria. 

Nuclear power is the most expensive form there is – and will take years to develop, extending the use of fossil fuels, which is exactly why the Liberals and Nationals are pushing for it.  

Victoria’s former coal plants are privately owned, and there’s no regulatory framework for approving a nuclear power plant in Australia. 

There are no nuclear waste storage sites in Australia, and no modular reactors have made it past the trial stage anywhere around the world. 

Instead, the state Labor government is using proven technologies that are significantly cheaper to lower emissions and deliver reliable power. Wind turbines and solar panels can be recycled and do not leave toxic waste that needs management for thousands of years.  

The petition is available at No Nuclear Reactors in Eastern Victoria (tommcintosh.com.au). 

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh: 

“The Coalition are true to form, providing yet another energy policy that will disappear without a trace and do nothing but cost our economy money and lost time.” 

“Energy policy requires more than a thought bubble, that's why we are setting targets, securing investment, preparing the supply chain, and training the workforce to deliver cheap, clean, abundant renewable electricity to the Victorian economy.” 

“Nuclear energy is not what Eastern Victorians want in their region.”