• This picture and many others, from here
Greens MP Adam Bandt has defended suggesting the coalition government’s climate change strategy could lead to more devastating bushfires like those raging across NSW.
As fierce blazes threatened thousands of homes across the state, Mr Bandt accused Prime Minister Tony Abbott of risking lives by taking the country “backwards” on efforts to combat global warming.
“Why Tony Abbott’s plan means more bushfires for Australia and more pics like this of Sydney,” he tweeted, alongside an image of bushfire smoke enveloping the city.
The remarks sparked a backlash online, but Mr Bandt denied it was an act of political opportunism.
The Victorian MP claimed Mr Abbott was “failing” his duty to protect Australians by refusing to talk about the consequences of climate change and its link to extreme weather events.
He conceded his comments could be “uncomfortable” for some, but he was worried about the threat global warming posed to the Australian way of life in a year when heat records had tumbled.
“Tony Abbott has picked this time to say he’s going to rip up action on global warming and in fact allow more pollution, which is going to mean these kind of fires we will see happening more often,” he told ABC TV on Friday.
• The Guardian’s coverage here
• Use the TT NEWS Dropdown (top nav bar) for breaking news on the fires …
• 9: Salvos launch appeal for NSW fire victims Donations can be made online by visiting www.salvos.org.au or by phoning 13 72 58.
• ‘the great moral challenge of our generation’: Kevin07 … where the then-PM-aspirant also said climate change should be beyond politics …
