Coalition ‘not serious’ about nuclear policy and Dutton’s plan is ‘political fix’, Matt Canavan says

Nationals senator questions his own party’s policy, saying ‘all sides of politics are deciding their energy based on focus group’

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Nationals senator Matt Canavan has doubled down on concerns about the Coalition’s nuclear power plan, saying attempting to run a modern economy through nuclear or renewable power was “equally unachievable” after a video showed him claiming his colleagues are “not serious” about the idea.

In a podcast interview from August uncovered by the ABC, Canavan said the Coalition was backing nuclear power “because it fixes a political issue for us”.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email