Antinuclear

Canavan had been the strongest pro-coal advocate in the Morrison cabinet for some time, but the track record of his replacement suggests the fossil fuel lobby won’t be too concerned about the loss of an ally who like to describe himself as “Mr Coal.”

Pitt, who has served as the LNP member of the coastal Queensland electorate of Hinkler since 2013, has been an outspoken supporter of the coal industry, has pushed for the establishment of a nuclear industry in Australia and supported the Abbott government’s efforts to abolish the federal government’s renewable energy initiatives.

So strong is Pitt’s opposition to climate change action, Pitt resigned as an assistant minister in 2018, following Scott Morrison’s elevation to the Prime Ministership, citing Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement as one of his core grievances.

“I will always put the national interest and the interests of my constituents above my own. I will always put reducing power prices, before Paris.” Pitt said following his resignation.

Pitt has advocated for a new coal-fired power station in Queensland and was part of a group of Nationals MPs that sent a scare through the office of Nationals leader Michael McCormack ahead of the 2019 federal election, when they demanded faster action on providing financial support to a new coal generator……..

Pitt was one of the main agitators for a parliamentary inquiry to a potential nuclear industry in Australia, a request that was acquiesced by federal energy minister Angus Taylor. ….  “It’s not just about looking at whether nuclear could be an affordable, reliable power source with virtually no emissions, it could be a new strand to the economy with fabrication, reprocessing, mining and exporting of uranium.”

Opposition energy spokesperson, Mark Butler, said that Pitt’s appointment to the resources portfolio raised serious questions about where efforts to stimulate an Australian nuclear industry may ultimately lead.

“Having appointed such a strong nuclear advocate to the resources portfolio, Scott Morrison must now come clean about his Government’s nuclear power plan and let Australians know which regions are in his nuclear firing line,” Butler said.

“Over 100 Australian communities have previously been identified as possible locations for nuclear reactors and nuclear dumps, including; Jervis Bay, Townsville, Gladstone, Perth, Western Port in Victoria and the New South Wales North Coast.”

“Keith Pitt’s appointment to the crucial resources portfolio is also another signal that Scott Morrison is walking even further away from action on climate change.”…….

Keith Pitt’s elevation to the resources portfolio was part of a wider cabinet reshuffle made by prime minister Scott Morrison, made necessary by the resignation of two ministers in the first parliamentary sitting week for 2020. …… https://reneweconomy.com.au/pro-coal-pro-nuclear-anti-renewables-mp-is-australias-new-resources-minister-18461/