Lib, Green clash over pull of nuke issue

By Geelong Story Updates
A “nonevent” rally in Geelong was proof local voters consider nuclear power an issue for another election, according to Liberal Member for Corangamite Stewart McArthur.
But rally participant and Greens candidate for Corangamite Fiona Nelson said Mr McArthur was “out of touch” if he thought nuclear power would not influence votes in his seat at this year’s federal election.
The Greens ran a lunchtime rally at Belmont on Monday against nuclear power, finishing with a march to Mr McArthur’s High Street office.
The Independent estimated about 20 attended but Ms Nelson said late arrivals swelled the crowd to 53.
“That’s a nonevent for a Monday,” Mr McArthur said.
“It says people (in Corangamite) think the nuclear debate is for the future.”
Mr McArthur believed nuclear power would be an election issue in “10 to 15 years”.
He said economic issues such as interest rates, inflation and employment were more likely to influence the votes in his seat.
Ms Nelson said nuclear power, including speculation about eventual development of a plant in the Geelong region, was “absolutely” a big issue in the region.
“He (Mr McArthur) is totally out of touch with his electorate,” she said.
“Let’s face it: he won’t be here if it takes 10 years to develop a nuclear power plant – he’s almost 70 years old.”
Ms Nelson said voters faced a choice between “two evils”.
“The Liberal party wants to expand uranium mining and Labor agrees,” she said.