‘Can’t be living like that’: Today host snaps

Veteran morning show host Sam Armytage has fired up during an on-air discussion about nuclear power in the wake of recent mass blackouts.

The national debate surrounding energy has become a sore point in politics this month after successive power failures left thousands without electricity amid soaring temperatures.

More than 6000 homes and businesses were left without power in Sydney on Tuesday as the mercury climbed to 37C.

In Victoria, 10,000 homes lost power on Monday after a failure blamed on extreme heat and high winds.

Speaking during a debate on Today on Wednesday morning, Armytage said recent power failures were falling well below the standards of “a modern country”.

“If you want to use your electricity today in a heatwave, you know, is that becoming a choice now? she said.

“We can’t be living like that, surely, with all the resources we have here.”

The comments came amid an on-air debate between Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan and Nine political correspondent Heidi Murphy over the feasibility of nuclear power in Australia.

Senator Canavan claimed the public should decide the issue at the next election, asserting they would “have the opportunity” as it would “effectively be on the ballot”.

Members of the Coalition have seized upon recent grid failures as an opportunity to criticise the government’s policy of replacing coal-fired electricity with renewables.

“If you want reliable and cheaper energy, nuclear energy’s the way to go – that’s what all the figures show, that’s why 30 countries around the world are building nuclear power stations.” Senator Canavan told viewers on Wednesday.

It comes after a CSIRO study found Peter Dutton’s nuclear policy would cost twice as much as the government’s policy of transitioning to renewables.

In response to the report, Mr Dutton accused the government of interference, saying: “It just looks to me like there’s a heavy hand of Chris Bowen.”