A parliamentary inquiry into nuclear power in Australia has been established by the Albanese government, in a party-political move to attack Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s signature energy policy.

The inquiry, to be conducted by a House Select Committee dominated by Labor MPs, comes a handful of months before a federal election, due by May next year.

“This House Select Committee will have a laser-like focus on establishing the facts, so the community can know what’s what when it comes to keeping the lights on and a secure future for Australia’s energy communities,” Labor MPs who would participate in the inquiry said in a statement.

Dutton has promised to build seven nuclear plants from 2035 on the sites of coal-fired power stations using public investment to fund construction.

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He says nuclear power is needed as part of a “balanced energy mix” and warns that the government’s focus on renewable energy is too risky.

Nuclear is needed to back up intermittent wind and solar energy, Dutton says, but he has refused to release details of how many reactors will be installed, what limitations may be placed on renewable energy and how much the plan will cost.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has ridiculed what he calls the “risky reactors” plan that he says is exorbitantly expensive, will take too long to build to be beneficial and come a decade too late to be useful.

The committee will be chaired by Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, whose Hunter electorate has been selected by Dutton to host a nuclear plant.