Nuclear plan for Queensland a ‘Soviet-style’ takeover: PM

Anthony Albanese has dubbed the plan to build nuclear power plants in Queensland “a Soviet-style” takeover during a blitz across the state that could decide this year’s federal election.

The comments came as the prime minister confirmed his government will increase funding for Bruce Highway restoration by $7.2 billion, restoring an earlier agreement.

The Labor leader was joined by treasurer Jim Chalmers in Gympie for the announcement, with the duo leaning hard on election messaging.

“Look, the 2025 election will be a clear choice,” Albanese told reporters.

“Labor building Australia’s future or a Coalition determined to return Australia backwards and costing more under Peter Dutton…

“Under the Coalition his vision is for a smaller Australia, is for making less things, is for less economic activity, is for less jobs.

“Which is how they’ve come up with this absurd policy which will be run by state-owned enterprises. The biggest state-owned commitment.

“A Soviet-style command economy of the energy system with his nuclear plan, because no one in the private sector would touch this with a barge pole because it doesn’t add up economically.”