They might be friends but Peter Dutton and his Queensland state counterpart David Crisafulli are a long way off agreeing on nuclear power.
Mr Dutton has promised to build seven nuclear plants across Australia if the coalition wins next year’s federal election.
Two of those proposed plants are in Queensland at existing power plants in Tarong and Callide.
But Mr Crisafulli, who is on track to lead the Liberal National Party to power at the October 26 election, says he stands firmly against the proposal, refusing to change laws that ban nuclear power in Queensland.
“Friends can have differences of opinion,” Mr Crisafulli told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.
Mr Dutton has previously vowed to override states who refuse to adopt the energy plan.
“Commonwealth laws override state laws even to the level of the inconsistency. So support or opposition at a state level won’t stop us rolling out our new energy system,” he said at an LNP conference in June.
The pair stood side-by-side at a press conference on day five of the election campaign but remained at a stalemate on energy policy.
“You know my position … and the fact that I’ve asked Peter to join me today shows that he’s someone who wants to see me do well, and I want to see him do well,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“It doesn’t mean that we agree on everything.
“He supports the Broncos, I support the Cowboys, so you know that’s the way any relationship works.”
Mr Dutton agreed that “friends” – even political leaders in the same party – can have a point of difference.
“In the end, we want the same outcome – that is, cheaper electricity for families who are struggling,” he said.
Neither leader would comment on what would happen if both were elected and remain at loggerheads.
“Firstly, let’s get David Crisafulli elected as premier,” Mr Dutton said.
Polls are pointing to a change of state government on October 26, with the LNP leading 56 to 44 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
AAP
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