WHAT WAS CLAIMED
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas supports nuclear power.
OUR VERDICT
Misleading. While Mr Malinauskas supports nuclear power globally, he’s repeatedly opposed nuclear power in Australia due to the costs.
AAP FACTCHECK - Peter Dutton is misleadingly claiming South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has been "very clear" in his support for nuclear power.
While Mr Malinauskas has spoken of the need for nuclear as part of the global energy mix, he has repeatedly opposed nuclear power in Australia due to high costs.
Mr Dutton made the misleading claim during the leaders' debate hosted by the ABC on April 16, in response to questions about getting states and territories on board with his nuclear plan.
The coalition will need to overturn state and territory bans on nuclear for its policy, but faces opposition from governments, including from the Liberal Nationals in Queensland.
"We can work with state governments," Mr Dutton said (timestamp 28 minutes 33 seconds).
"The South Australian Premier has been very clear of his support for nuclear."
Mr Dutton has made the claim before, including during a press conference on April 8, 2025, where he suggested Mr Malinauskas has been upfront about his support for "the nuclear policy".
AAP FactCheck asked Mr Dutton for evidence to support his claims but did not receive a response.
After the coalition unveiled plans in 2024 to construct a nuclear power plant in South Australia, Mr Malinauskas held a press conference to outline his position on the policy.
He said his position on nuclear power has been consistent for more than a decade.
"Nuclear power has an important role to play in the global energy mix as we pursue a decarbonised future - that's just an obvious truth," Mr Malinauskas said (0:45).
"As a premier I am fine with nuclear power, as long as it doesn't make electricity bills more expensive," Mr Malinauskas went on to say.
"What we know from report after report is that in the Australian context, it will make power more expensive, so why on earth would we pursue it?
"I would support nuclear power if it didn't make electricity more expensive. But it will make it more expensive… all the evidence says it will make electricity a lot more expensive."
Mr Malinauskas reiterated his position more recently on April 1, 2025, The Guardian reported.
"Why would any premier of any jurisdiction around the country support a plan to make electricity more expensive in households, in business?" he said.
"Peter Dutton has a plan to make it more expensive. I can't be clearer about it.
"His plan would make electricity and energy prices for South Australia more expensive and there is not a month of Sundays we would support a plan to do that."
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