It was a simple question. But the government minister’s answer was so extraordinary, the interviewer had to clarify it twice, just to make sure.
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| Water Resources Minister David Littleproud. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Corp Australia |
STOP PRESS
Australia’s minister responsible for drought and natural disasters,
David Littleproud, now says he accepts the science on manmade climate
change, and “[I] always have”.Littleproud’s comments to the House of Representatives on Thursday were entirely at odds with a written statement he made to Guardian Australia on Tuesday. In response to questions, Littleproud said: “I don’t know if climate change is man-made.” “I’m about practical outcomes, whether that’s about having a cleaner environment or giving farmers and emergency services the right tools to adapt,” the minister said in that statement. “I am responsible for making sure we have the tools we need to adapt to a changing climate.” |
Greens MP Adam Bandt will move a motion to that effect, and it will be seconded by independent Zali Steggall.
Ms Steggall’s fellow independents Helen Haines and Andrew Wilkie also support the motion, along with Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie.
They have at least one ally from the Liberal side of politics as well. Former opposition leader John Hewson is in Canberra today to help them push for the declaration.
Ms Steggall went on Sky News this morning to make her case.
“This isn’t about me expressing an opinion. This is about listening to the experts,” she said.
“It’s only a first step, of course. What we really need is a plan to decarbonise.”
Ms Steggall has previously been accused of hypocrisy because she does not drive an electric vehicle. Her critics say that’s an example of her not practising what she preaches.
Asked about that, she said she could not yet afford to buy one.
“I, like every other Australian, have budget pressures, mortgage pressures,” Ms Steggall said.
“I would really welcome the government taking some steps to make EVs more affordable so I could accelerate the process in which I could transfer my car.
“I am committed to, when it comes time to changing my vehicle, that I will change it to an EV.”
You can expect the government to oppose the climate emergency declaration, meaning it will not pass.
Labor, for what it’s worth, is hedging its bets, saying it will “consider any motions brought forward” through its usual processes.
The timing of this is interesting. It comes after government frontbencher David Littleproud’s stunning admission yesterday that he doesn’t know whether climate change is man made.
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| Zali Steggall. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Corp Australia |
“I don’t know if climate change is man made,” Mr Littleproud told The Guardian.
“I’m about practical outcomes, whether that’s about having a cleaner environment or giving farmers and emergency services the right tools to adapt.”
A short while after those comments were reported, he was interviewed by Speers.
“You say the climate is changing, and that is certainly true. The question is, is this man made climate change?” Speers asked.
“I have no idea, but does it really matter?” Mr Littleproud said.
“Sorry, you have no idea whether?” Speers pressed.
“I am not a scientist. I haven’t made an opinion one way or the other, but I don’t think it really matters,” the minister said.
“Sorry, I just want to be really clear on this. You are not sure whether man made climate change is real?” Speers continued.
“I am going to be honest with you, I don’t have an opinion, but I don’t think it really matters. I think these extremes from both sides have taken away the maturity of debate we should have about keeping, simply, a clean environment and making sure we give our people the tools to be able to go out and protect themselves in a changing climate,” Mr Littleproud said.
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| David Speers does his best ‘Is that your final answer?’ face. Picture: Sky News Source: Supplied |
Australia’s Attitude To Climate Change
- 81 per cent concerned about more droughts and flooding caused by climate change
- 77 per cent think climate change is already happening
- Two-thirds think Australia should have a national target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Almost two-thirds think humans are responsible for climate change.
- Most Australians think climate change is causing more extreme weather events and hurting food supply.
- Most blame electricity companies and their profit margins for rising power bills.
- Solar power is Australia’s favourite energy source for the fourth year running.
- Young adults are more concerned about climate change and more supportive of reducing emissions than older generations.
- About two-thirds want the federal government to stop building new coal mines.
