October 10, 2018: Dr John Hewson, former member for the seat of Wentworth and leader of the Liberal Party, today suggested that the Wentworth by-election should be a referendum on climate change.

“Given the magnitude and urgency of the climate challenge, as confirmed this week by the latest IPCC Report, a major political party that fails to develop a climate action plan essentially forfeits the right to govern,” Dr Hewson said.

“This by-election offers the residents of Wentworth a unique opportunity to make that point and, hopefully, the LNP Government will then listen.”  

Dr Hewson will speak tonight at a Wentworth by-election forum on climate change, discussing the local implications of the new United Nations’ global warming report.

Other speakers include:

Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and IPCC contributor, said:  “One degree of global average warming has already caused enormous damage to two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef. We must limit the amount of future warming to ensure its survival.”

“Australia’s emissions are still rising. According to IPCC, we still have a narrowing window of opportunity to turn that around as counties work together to prevent dangerous levels of global warming. We have to change, if we want our kids to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef in the future.”

Geoff Cousins, Wentworth local, business leader and former adviser to Prime Minister John Howard, said:  “Adani’s massive new coal mine will turbo-charge climate change, at a time when our Great Barrier Reef is bleaching and eastern Australia suffers through devastating drought.”

“The UN’s pivotal report examines what global warming of 1.5oC would mean for the world. The implications for Australia are huge  and we as a nation need to get our heads across the fact that unless we act on climate change now we face a grim reality.”  

Blair Palese, CEO of 350.org and Wentworth local said: “By willfully refusing to tackle climate change, the federal government’s is setting us up for devastating consequences. The danger is urgent, it’s real and requires action now.  Breaking our reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy needs political leadership and it has to be prioritised immediately.”

Tonight’s event allows the people of Wentworth to understand the implications for their local community and Australia more broadly of inaction on climate change in Canberra. It is being hosted by 350.org, ACF and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

Speakers:

Professor Terry Hughes

Dr John Hewson

Geoff Cousins

Blair Palese

Ingrid Strewe

MC: Lee Lin Chin

Where: Bondi Pavilion, (High Tide Room) Bondi Beach Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach

When: 6.30pm to 8pm Wednesday, October 10, 2018