All the Australian towns where Peter Dutton will install nuclear power plants – and they’ll be up and running sooner than you think if he wins the election

In spite of Mr Dutton’s best efforts, reported details of his nuclear proposal are starting to trickle out.

NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are all earmarked for nuclear reactor sites if the Coalition wins the next election.

It’s understood Lithgow and the Hunter Valley are the proposed NSW sites, Mount Murchison and Tarong in Queensland and Traralgon in Victoria.

Mr Dutton proposes one site in South Australia in Port Augusta, and another in Collie in WA.

He hopes to have at least two up and running by 2037, with the first set to be established in 2035 – 11 years away.

All of the sites which have been identified are within Coalition-held seats.

Peter Dutton has reportedly briefed the MPs whose electorates will be impacted by nuclear sites if the Coalition wins the next election.

But the wider party is reportedly also in the dark over exact locations in an effort to avoid any leaks ahead of the highly anticipated announcement.

Mr Dutton is expected to announce several of these key sites at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

It is understood Mr Dutton plans for nuclear reactors to be commonwealth owned and operated.

Sussan Ley appeared on Sky on Wednesday morning where she promoted the impending nuclear energy announcement.

‘Let’s face it, policy in this country around energy under this government is an absolute trainwreck.

‘We are paying the highest electricity prices in the world. You’ve just noted on your program, that today is the coldest day so far this year.

‘There will be Australians who are choosing between heating and eating.’

Climate warrior Simon Holmes à Court has issued a series of 18 questions he says Mr Dutton must answer if he wants the Australian public to support nuclear energy.

Mr Holmes à Court has a ­Climate 200 fund which backed the ‘Teal’ independents in the last election – many of whom snatched previously safe Liberal seats in affluent parts of Sydney.

– Where nuclear reactors will be located

– How the Coalition intends to remove state bans given nuclear is currently banned in Victoria, NSW and Queensland

– What will happen if locals object

– When will the reactors begin generating power

– How much will they cost

– How will the waste be managed

– Who will provide disaster insurance

– What will be the emissions impact

He said: ‘Without good answers to the questions above, the Coalition cannot be taken seriously.

‘Any plan that has us paying more and blowing our carbon budget is a toxic joke.’

Peter Dutton will hold a joint press conference at 10am to make his pitch to the Australian public.

It is understood he’ll be joined by Nationals leader David Littleproud, and Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday trashed Mr Dutton’s nuclear ambitions, describing it as ‘economic insanity, pure and simple’.

Dr Chalmers told ABC Radio: ‘Nuclear takes longer, it costs more, and it will squander Australia’s unique combination of advantages. It is the worst combination of economic and ideological stupidity.’