Wednesday, 1 May 2019

Climate Council Report - Misleading claims, attacks on science and censorship undertaken by the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government over the past five years.

Climate Council

I want to share with you what could be our most important report yet.
Our new report, launched today, details the misleading claims, attacks on science and censorship undertaken by the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government over the past five years.
It paints, for the first time, a full picture of the Federal Government’s climate record. A tenure characterised by slashing science funding, cutting effective climate programs, misleading claims and covering up poor performance. We have rated their performance as an F.
We have been out in the media today, calling out the fact that expert scientific advice has been ignored or rejected, putting Australian lives, the economy and environment at risk. We want all Australians to know the truth; that the Federal Government has covered up poor performance with misleading claims, dubious accounting and censorship - and ultimately failed to act.
I believe future generations will read this report in utter disbelief.
Yes, reading this report makes me so terribly angry. Delaying action has not made the problem go away. It has just shortened the time we have left to reduce emissions and made it more challenging to do so.
But the report also reminds me of our value. No matter who wins the election, Australia needs a vocal, independent body to hold the Government to account. Today, in our report, we have published a Charter of Integrity which will form our ongoing framework for holding governments to account.
When Australia’s Climate Commission was abolished, I was outraged. But I now realise it has been a blessing in disguise, because this act led to the creation of an independent climate body, our very own people-powered Climate Council.
The Climate Council exists because tens of thousands of Australians fought back. And today, we’re still standing because of you. You give us our independence. And we need you to keep going for the next 5.
A strong, independent voice for science is more important than ever. If you believe the public deserves to hear the facts; if you believe the government has no right to silence scientists, then please help fund the Climate Council’s ongoing work.
We will keep the focus firmly on energy and transport; sectors that need to rapidly decarbonise. And we’ll continue to push for a strong climate change policy for Australia.
It pains me to think about the situation we would be in if the Climate Council weren't around to bust myths, call out misinformation, and sort fact from fiction. So thank you for standing with us, time and time again.


Professor Tim Flannery
Chief Climate Councillor

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