Pauline Hanson calls for two nuclear plants on east coast and insists policy is nothing like Dutton’s failed plan

Tom McIlroy and Sarah Basford Canales, Guardian, 31 Aug 26

Pauline Hanson says two nuclear reactors should be built on Australia’s east coast, but insists One Nation’s policy is nothing like Peter Dutton’s failed push to build plants during his unsuccessful election campaign.

Campaigning in Victoria ahead of the November state election, the One Nation leader went beyond the party’s published policy, which calls for $6.8bn to be spent on construction of one reactor, to be built at a site supported by community consultation.

One Nation leader also calls for taxpayer funding to keep coal-fired Loy Yang power station operating as part of ‘diversity’ of power

Hanson also called for taxpayer funding to keep coal-fired Loy Yang power station outside Traralgon operating, as well as construction of “a couple” of new nuclear plants as part of a push for a “diversity” of power supply.

“The reactors need to happen,” Hanson said on Monday.

“But we need that diversity of power. Keep your coal-fired power stations going.”

She distanced herself from a plan to build seven taxpayer-funded nuclear plants that was previously proposed by the Coalition. That policy, which suggested having two of the plants use small modular technology, fell flat with voters ahead of the 2025 election………………………………………………………………………. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/31/pauline-hanson-calls-nuclear-coal-plants-australia-east-coast-ntwnfb