Queensland LNP excludes nuclear from agenda at conference ahead of state election

Queensland LNP Leader David Crisafulli and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are seen during the Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) annual conference in Brisbane, Saturday, July 8, 2023. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

There are 173 items on the discussion list for the annual Queensland LNP conference, but nuclear energy is not one of them.

The three-day event starting in Brisbane on Friday is not due to canvass the major policy which has sparked a divide between some federal and state Liberal and Nationals party members.

Queensland-based federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled plans to build seven nuclear power plants if the federal coalition wins government in 2025.

The policy was backed by Queensland based Nationals leader David Littleproud, who is due to join Mr Dutton at the LNP conference on Saturday, and by another Queensland-based LNP member, the federal energy spokesman Ted O’Brien.

Their approach to nuclear is not supported by Queensland’s Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli.

Ahead of Queensland’s October election, Mr Crisafulli has confirmed nuclear is “not part of our plan” when asked about Mr Dutton’s policy.

The state convention’s list of resolutions is lengthy but makes no mention of nuclear energy, although Mr Dutton and Mr Littleproud might raise the issue during their addresses to the conference on Saturday.

Mr Crisafulli will address the event on Sunday.

“When you see hundreds of people coming to a venue to be able to debate the future of the state, the future of party, that’s really, really healthy,” Mr Crisafulli said ahead of the convention. 

Among the resolutions put forward are making pepper spray legal to use in self-defence, abolishing the eSafety Commission and reducing the corporate tax rate to a “globally competitive” setting.

Another motion has called for the state LNP and federal coalition to condemn actions against Jewish people in Australia and provide unwavering support for Israel.

There is also a resolution calling upon the next federal coalition government to sell or privatise the ABC, in the same manner as the Commonwealth Bank and Qantas.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will address the convention on Friday.

AAP

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