Australian opposition leader’s nuclear power plan triggers fallout of dissent

SYDNEY - For decades, Australian politicians – mainly from the conservative side – have toyed with the notion of adopting nuclear power for the country, but have typically shelved the idea after realising the immense scale and cost involved.

But, on June 19, Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton – a hardline conservative from the Liberal Party and a former defence minister – stunned the nation by confirming that, if elected, he would

proceed with a plan to build seven nuclear reactors

on the sites of retired coal-fired power stations in five states. The next election is expected to be held early in 2025.