Having campaigned on climate change issues for more than two decades, the Australian Democrats are condemning the actions of those who have launched a campaign of death threats against some of Australia’s top climate scientists.
Party spokesperson, Sandra Kanck, says a complacent government and spiteful opposition have created an environment that provokes unstable people to threaten scientists with violence.
“When Liberal and National politicians constantly use hostile, extreme language, and regularly accuse scientists of corruption and dishonesty, this kind of behaviour cannot come as a surprise to anyone.
“During last year’s Federal election campaign we questioned Tony Abbott’s apparent latter-day conversion from climate sceptic to believer and suggested it was more about electoral pragmatism than anything else.
“Had the Government been more honest, instead of toing and froing on the issue over an 18 month period, our scientists would be less likely to be facing this problem. It was the Government’s prevarication that has given the Opposition more leverage than it should have had.
“The Australian Democrats fully support a price on carbon based pollution, and have a proud history of campaigning to reduce impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, including the advocating of a market-based approach more than a decade ago.
“Opposition MPs must listen to reputable science on these issues, not be making extreme statements which only encourage the foolish and misguided.
“The Australian Democrats position is clear: climate change is human-induced and action is needed urgently, including limiting population growth and implementing a carbon tax” Ms Kanck concluded.
