People will get to voice their choice: Bracks -


A RE-ELECTED Labor Government would never allow a nuclear power plant to be built in Victoria unless residents voted for one in a statewide plebiscite.
Premier Steve Bracks yesterday promised that if he won Saturday's election, Labor would introduce new laws requiring a vote to be held if the Commonwealth tried to establish a nuclear power plant in Victoria.
The Nuclear Free Victoria Act 1983 already prevents nuclear power plants being built in the state. However, with the Federal Government embracing nuclear as an energy for the future, Mr Bracks said a plebiscite requirement would safeguard Victorians if the Commonwealth ever sought to override state laws.
"If we are re-elected we'll ensure that there is a plebiscite in the future so that the laws will be backed up, requiring a vote of the Victorian public for (a nuclear power plant) to occur," Mr Bracks said.
But with the environment a core issue of the election, and Labor at risk of losing key seats to the Greens, Mr Bracks yesterday reiterated his commitment to renewable energy sources, such as cleaner coal, wind farms and solar.
He also renewed his attack on Liberal leader Ted Baillieu, who, when asked what future nuclear had in Victoria, said: "I don't think it is going to happen and I'm not going to promote it."
Mr Baillieu said Victoria already had an "extraordinary resource" in its brown coal in the Latrobe Valley, and "what we need to do is clean that technology and provide future generations with a competitive edge that we've all enjoyed".
But Labor insiders said Mr Baillieu's comments proved he was unwilling to rule out a plant in Victoria, while Mr Bracks accused his Liberal counterpart of repeatedly trying to avoid the issue.
South Australian premier Mike Rann said he would consider legislating to block any nuclear plant being built in his state if that were necessary.
Engineers Australia national president Peter Cockbain warned that it would take much longer than the anticipated 10 years for Australia to develop the necessary skills to run the nuclear power stations.
"If we don't establish our own local skills base, the cost of the nuclear energy option will spiral as Australia is forced to pay a premium to import the skills and technologies to support a nuclear industry," Mr Cockbain said.
Greenpeace campaigns director Stephen Campbell said nuclear power was no solution to climate change and had serious drawbacks, including the use of materials in nuclear weapons and the disposal of waste.

Australian Greens senator Christine Milne said Mr Howard's nuclear power ambitions were an expensive, fanciful distraction from the need to take urgent action to deal with climate change.
"Australia has been served up a report written by pro-nuclear advocates with no expertise in renewable energy," Senator Milne said.
Australian Coal Association executive director Mark O'Neil said the review confirmed the need for low-emissions fossil fuel technology to generate electricity.
"We are very confident that clean coal technologies will be very competitive with the nuclear option for baseload power generation," he said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said nuclear power was not the answer to Australia's energy needs, which could be met by clean coal, gas and renewables.
"The economics do not stack up," Mr Beazley said.
POWER PLAY THE HOT TOPIC
1. WHY DO WE NEED NUCLEAR ENERGY?
The panel says nuclear energy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the risks of global warming.
2. WILL SOMEONE BUILD A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN MY BACKYARD?
If you live on the coast near major electricity infrastructure, then yes, you might see a nuclear power plant near you within 10 to 20 years.
3. WILL SOMEONE BUILD A WASTE DUMP IN MY BACKYARD?
Not immediately, but if Australia adopts nuclear energy and you live in the outback with stable geology away from water, then yes, you might see a waste facility when you hang out the washing.
4. WHAT IS EMISSIONS
TRADING?
Heavily polluting companies are able to buy the right to exceed a cap on greenhouse emissions from under-polluting companies. This can operate either between nations or between states.
5. WHY IS EMISSIONS TRADING SO IMPORTANT?
Without making the polluters pay, nuclear energy cannot compete economically with coal-fired electricity.
6. WHY IS THIS REPORT TOUGH NEWS FOR CANBERRA?
The Prime Minister will have to deal with the tough business of cleaning up dirty coal if he wants nuclear energy in Australia.