The Queensland Conservation Council had invited all political parties to last Saturday's [6/10/07] forum on climate change.  The coalition and Family First did not send representatives, Senator Barnaby Joyce (Nationals) had agreed to attend but was called away at the last minute, apparently. So it was left to Senator Andrew Bartlett (Democrats), Senator Bob Brown (Greens) and Senator Claire Moore (ALP) to present their policies and points of view to an audience of about 300 who had gathered in one of the ballroom's at the Sofitel in Brisbane.

Speaking on behalf of the Turrbul and Jagera people, Aunty Valda from the Brisbane Council of Elders gave the welcome to country.

"We cannot sell our mother," she said.

Mr Toby Hutcheon from the Queensland Conservation Council introduced proceedings by stressing that the natural world is already under threat from climate change.  He said that Tourism Queensland, the Queensland Farmers' Federation, the Bureau of Meteorology, the AMA and ACOSS have produced various reports outlining the future impacts and devastating environmental and social effects of climate change.

"It's very important we take steps now," he said.

The forum was moderated by Bill McDonald from Channel 10, and 150 audience members were issued with electronic keypads to record their voting preferences.  This was distracting, unnecessary, and a complete waste of time, given the obvious "preaching to the converted" factor.  In this light, the most surprising thing was that the coalition vote fell during the course of proceedings.

The Senators were presented with four questions relating to their plans to deal with climate change - whether they would legislate to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2050 and increase funding to ensure renewable energy of 25% by 2020, their policy on nuclear power and if they support Australia integrating climate change assistance into overseas aid.

Senator Andrew Bartlett won the draw to speak first and began by stating that when it comes to the issue of climate change, the federal government has been "negligent".  He answered "yes" to the questions relating to legislating to reduce carbon emissions, increasing funding to renewable energy, and incorporating climate change assistance into overseas aid.  Senator Bartlett made it clear that the Democrats do not support nuclear power, and said we need to look at meeting carbon emission targets by 2010 without nuclear power.

"It is too easy to promise something a decade or so down the track," he said.  This needs immediate action says Bartlett.

He referred to the 'Rescue the Future' report which was initiated by the Democrats in the 1980s and tabled in 1991 with support from the Labor government.  As well as emphasising the crucial senate vote, Senator Bartlett acknowledged the obstacles against obtaining wider community support, but suggested that the individual might have more power to make change than he or she thinks.

"What are YOU going to do?"  he asked the audience.

"That is what creates the political momentum."

Senator Claire Moore pointed out that she was limited in what she could say because she couldn't make any policy statements without head-office approval, and because Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett were not able to attend.

Senator Moore said that the ALP supports cutting greenhouse emissions by 60% by 2050, and that more detail on the policy would be provided as the election campaign progressed.  She also suggested that all levels of government have a role to play when it comes to tackling climate change, and would allocate $500 million toward clean coal technology.

"We're not turning our back on the coal industry," she said, although she later said of clean coal technology or "research into less dirty coal":

"We cannot say it is definitely going to work."

Senator Moore said the ALP does not support nuclear power.

"We think it is a diversion put in by the government to scare people,"  she said, later adding that exporting uranium is a "worry" and that "someone's got to look after the waste."

As for climate change refugees, Senator Moore referred to statements made by Peter Garrett and Bob McMullan, which indicated Australia must increase financial support so that people can remain in their own areas "where they can".

Senator Bob Brown began by pointing out that Australians "ought to be world leaders in finding solutions to climate change", whereas we are presently one of the world's largest supporters of the coal industry and loggers of old growth forests.  He also said that the targets presented at the start of the forum were exactly the Greens policy.  The Greens policy on nuclear power goes without saying, but for those who are unsure:

"We would keep the uranium in the ground," he said.

Senator Brown acknowledged Senator Andrew Bartlett for the "prodigious effort" he makes to ensure the proper operation of the Federal Senate, adding that Senator Bartlett and Senator Moore were the "more decent" people you can meet in politics - "and that's a rare breed".

He also referred to the Greens plan for a Solar Fund, which will divert $300 million from the coal industry.

Prior to the forum, I sent in the following question about public transport:

"On the assumption that a highly efficient, free, public transport system would permanently reduce the need for additional, expensive road/tunnel infrastructure, and would therefore represent enormous savings to civic budgets, is this simply impossible to countenance because of the road/car/oil/insurance business interests, which might have to contemplate reduced revenues as a result?  Or is there some other compelling reason why public transport should not be free?"

The question was modified to exclude the "road/car/oil/insurance business interests" reference, but it was met with applause from the audience and guarded support from Senators Brown and Bartlett.  The first step is to remove GST from public transport fares, according to Senator Bob Brown, but John Howard will not accept that.

The scam that is Carbon trading was only mentioned in the vaguest terms during the course of the forum.  Along with the polar bears, two Mary River turtles made an appearance (one was real), and it was also revealed that there are no dual flush toilets in Parliament House!  

This was one of the larger community climate change events held in Brisbane over the past year.  Usually the same informed individuals make an effort to attend, and the major parties either refuse to participate, or give any indication their policies will actively address the problem.  This is not surprising given that the major parties only ever superficially address their constituents' concerns, buttering them up with money to keep breeding and buying investment properties, while pandering to big business and the mining and oil industry with promises of corporate welfare. 

 Ideally, the Democrats and the Greens - whose policies on tackling climate change are the most realistic - should have the balance of power in the Senate in order to hold the major parties to account. Unfortunately most Australians glean their "information" and "news" from the mainstream media and the national broadcaster.  And as Senator Brown said, the only time he's been on the cover of 'The Courier-Mail' was when they misrepresented the Greens policy on the coal industry.

In any case, climate change won't feature as a big election issue because most Australians are ill-informed and apathetic about climate change.  Look at the wave of "green is the new black" consumerism being fostered by the mainstream media and our national broadcaster.  It makes people feel like something is being done about climate change, and that's about it.  Unfortunately most voters aren't going to seriously consider climate change until it's too late.  

That $85 million toward policing for post-natal depression and porkbarrelling for roads and tunnels won't seem as alluring when your house is destroyed in a cyclone, your family and friends come down with Dengue Fever, and Nana can't look after you because she died from heat exhaustion!