In dismissing Labor's focus on his past comments about nuclear power, Liberal candidate Warren Mundine has reminded Peter Garrett of his approval of two uranium mines when environment minister in 2008 and 2009.
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The nuclear exchange was triggered when the Midnight Oil frontman and Environment Minister in the Rudd Labor government addressed a Labor forum in Huskisson on Sunday night.
Mundine is a scandal on two legs and a cheer leader for extremely expensive, dangerous, unnecessary and uninsurable nuclear power, Mr Garrett told the gathering of the party faithful.
"With solar and wind increasingly providing a safe source of energy, the last thing the community needs is a radioactive waste plant on the beautiful South Coast.
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The people of Gilmore couldnt have a starker choice locally. A pro nuclear candidate who wont act on climate change or a fair dinkum local who will act on the climate emergency and invest in renewables
Scott Morrison has not ruled out nuclear power and with the Liberals in chaos there is no way of ruling it out. Given that its Commonwealth land they could easily attempt a nuclear reactor in Jervis Bay
Mr Mundine dismissed what he called a nuclear scare campaign as "complete rubbish".
"There is no basis for this campaign of fear. It's absolutely despicable. The people of Huskisson and our communities right across Gilmore should not go to bed at night worrying about nuclear in their back yard," Mr Mundine said.
"My answer is clear - it is never going to happen. I will never support a nuclear reactor at our pristine Jervis Bay. It's never going to happen. Ever.
"To have Peter Garrett come to Huskisson to try and spook our community just shows what kind of party Labor has become and the desperate lengths they will go to.
"This is a former anti-uranium activist who, as Environment Minister, approved the expansion of the Beverley uranium mine in 2008 and the Four Mile uranium mine in 2009."
"If anyone can't be trusted, it's Labor, their deception and lies."