Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled during an event when questioned about the economic impact of renewable energy projects on regional communities and the reliance on overseas workers. The concerns were raised by a local business owner whose property is adjacent to a large solar farm.
During the Daily Telegraph Bush Summit in Dubbo, interviewer Gemma Jones presented a case from a local resident, Robyn Hicks, who stated her property would be "sandwiched on three sides by a solar farm." Hicks reportedly expressed that these foreign-owned projects employ mostly foreign workers, and their work camps prevent workers from spending money in local towns, negatively impacting the community.
When Albanese responded with "I get it," the crowd erupted in laughter. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We need to do better than that." He emphasized the necessity of "social license" for operations and called for improved community consultation and engagement.
Following the exchange about renewables, Jones pivoted to nuclear power, asking if it remained a permanent exclusion. Albanese reiterated his government's position, stating that nuclear power "doesn't stack up" economically. He challenged potential investors to come forward, asserting that the long lead times from decision to power generation make it financially unviable.
"The truth is the economics of it is what stops it going ahead," Albanese said. He also pointed out that the moratorium on nuclear power was initiated by the Howard government, not a Labor government.
Albanese's comments stand in contrast to those of rival Pauline Hanson, who has advocated for ending net-zero emissions targets and building nuclear power plants. Hanson has argued that nuclear energy is crucial for Australia's energy sovereignty and national security, noting its use by allied nations for grid stability and cost control. She pointed to Australia's significant uranium reserves as a reason to consider the technology, which she stated is used safely at hundreds of sites globally.
"Lifting that ban and planning carefully for nuclear would allow Australia to use proven technology, build long life assets on suitable sites, and keep more control over our own energy future instead of depending on imported fuels and overseas decisions," Hanson stated. She believes Australia should not ignore a proven emissions-free technology used in 28 countries.