GREENS SHOULD SHOW SOME RESPECT
February 1, 2011 · 2 Comments
The Greens need to stop the cynical exploitation of disaster situations to make a political point, says the Opposition.
In yet another disgraceful show of disregard for Australians in harm’s way, acting Greens Leader Christine Milne has labelled cyclone Yasi as a ‘tragedy of climate change’.
This comes after Bob Brown said two weeks ago that mining companies were partly responsible for the floods disaster that has ravaged Australia.
“It takes an exceptional level of self-righteousness to exploit human tragedy to score political points at times like these,” Opposition emergency services spokesman Senator Gary Humphries said today.
“Christine Milne cannot demonstrate any link between this cyclone and global warming. Accordingly, it is blatant opportunism to make these claims against the probable backdrop of physical destruction and human suffering.
“As such situations unfold it behoves all politicians to stand clear and allow emergency services to get on with the dangerous task of bracing communities for the impending cyclone.
“Senator Milne and her Greens colleagues need to start showing some respect for the people in harm’s way and the emergency services workers aiding them.
“The thoughts and prayers of the Coalition are with communities who are at risk in the path of Cyclone Yasi. Our unqualified gratitude goes to the emergency services workers in the area,” Senator Humphries concluded.
1 February 2011
With the greatest of respect Senator, it is not politics to state what scientific research and measurements are telling us.
On the other hand, it IS politics to say that we must not mention science at this time because some people hold an alternative fringe view, and do not wish to be upset.
I think it is right to warn friends and relatives in Australia that scientists have predicted storms of precisely this kind of extra intensity due to climate change. They should be warned to therefore take additional precautions to save their lives and property.
Not to warn people in this way, to mitigate their risk, because of an ideological view that climate change is not occurring, or because of a belief in a fringe scientific alternative viewpoint, is reckless and negligent behaviour.
In coming days, people of Queensland will urgently need to know, what further storms are coming, how intense will they be, and where and how should they rebuild? Climate change will have to be a part of that discussion just as it needs to be right now, in order to save lives.
“the thoughts and prayers of the coalition”
like that will help
the Greens have been pushing the message for decades
i sure Senator milne will have no trouble showing the link