The Liberal Party's conspicuous silence on nuclear energy in its advertising confirms the policy does not have internal party support, is electoral poison and must be dumped.
An analysis of Meta's advertising library published today in the Nine newspapers reveals the Liberal Party has not used the word "nuclear" in any of its 24 paid social media advertisements currently running, having last funded promotion of its nuclear power policy in November 2024. Additionally, it was revealed earlier this week that only nine of the Coalition's candidates for the upcoming election are promoting nuclear energy on their campaign websites.
"The Liberal Party's actions speak louder than words," said Andrew Gregson, spokesperson for Liberals Against Nuclear. "They avoid mentioning nuclear in their advertising because they know voters don't want it. If the party leadership knows this policy is unpopular enough to hide from voters, they should abandon it so they can win the election and put Peter Dutton in the Lodge.
Recent Resolve Political Monitor polling shows just 21 percent of voters favor government subsidies for nuclear energy.
"The party's silence on nuclear in its advertising suggests internal polling matches what we're seeing publicly – nuclear is a losing proposition. People just don't want to be lumbered with public debt and massive government intrusion."
Liberals Against Nuclear is calling on party leadership to return to the winning formula that has historically delivered electoral success for the Liberal Party: lower taxes and strong borders.
"The Liberal Party knows how to win elections – by focusing on economic management through tax relief for hardworking Australians and ensuring our national security through strong border protection," Gregson said.
"The absence of nuclear policy from almost all candidate websites says loudly what no one wants to say out loud – candidates know it's either electoral poison in their electorates or, more likely, they realise the building and running seven government-owned nuclear plants is a terrible policy that contradicts core liberal values. Building a massive socialist project will force them to raise taxes, grow the debt, and have government running an enterprise that belongs in the private sector. It's a bit awkward when your signature policy – nuclear – is the one policy you're trying to avoid. The simple answer is to dump it.
"Voters are desperate for immediate relief on power bills, not a $600 billion nuclear scheme that delivers nothing for decades. The Liberal Party should focus on immediate tax relief for struggling families and businesses while developing practical energy solutions that align with liberal values of smaller government and free markets.
"If the Liberal Party leadership feels they have to hide this policy in their advertising, they should take the next logical step and formally abandon it before it costs them the election."
