Cowper Candidates Join Forum to Talk Climate in Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Coffs Coast by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 6, 2022 Five candidates faced community members to defend their climate policies. (L-R) Independent Caz Heise, One Nation’s Faye Aspiotis, the Greens’ Tim Nott, Liberal Democrat candidate Simon Chaseling and Labor’s Keith McMullen.Photo: Rob Cleary. AROUND 100 community members packed the Cavanbah Hall in Coffs Harbour for the Cowper Climate Forum last Friday night. Five of the seven candidates for Cowper in the upcoming Federal Election attended the event, hosted by the Coffs Coast Climate Action Group (CCCAG) and the local School Strike 4 Climate group. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Carolyn Heise (Independent), Keith McMullen (Labor), Timothy Nott (Greens), Faye Aspiotis (One Nation) and Simon Chasling (Liberal Democrats) took the stage to answer audience questions on their climate policies. The sitting Member for Cowper, Nationals candidate Pat Conaghan, did not respond to his invitation. His absence was marked by an empty chair and a sign. Coffs Coast Climate Action Group’s Liisa Rusanen, said, “Turning up to engage respectfully with your constituents is the bare minimum for an MP.” Several questions came from children and teenagers, who expressed concern for their future, in light of the increase in extreme weather events, floods and fires, and dire predictions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). School Strike organiser Rataj Abdullah asked about the Government’s duty of care to protect young people from climate harm when approving new coal mines – the subject of a recent High Court case. Other questions revolved around removing taxpayer subsidies for fossil fuels, plans for a fair transition away from coal and gas, and cutting emissions to reach net zero. There was also significant enthusiasm for the growing renewables industry, which already has a strong base in Cowper, with the potential for many more local jobs. Audience member Nicole Read noted during her question to the candidates, “In every Federal election in recent decades there have been scare campaigns about the cost of climate action, and it’s happening again. “I don’t think we hear enough about the benefits that will result from policies to reduce emissions,” she said. Forum attendee Bill Davies asked a question about donations to candidates from coal and gas companies, and called for action to reduce the political influence of the fossil fuel industry. He described the forum as “a wonderfully inclusive, mature contest of ideas”. Ms Rusanen said, “It was a lively discussion, showing a wide diversity in candidates’ understanding of climate science and the action needed. “Most people actually want action on climate change, and we don’t have another three years to waste, so we really encourage everyone to get informed and keep climate in mind when voting.” CCCAG will be releasing a candidate ‘scorecard’ for both Cowper and Page electorates this week on its website or social media pages. By Andrew VIVIAN More than 100 community members attended. Photo: Rob Cleary.
Voters of Cowper must get serious this election, fifty years of National Party representation has not delivered yet their candidates get re-elected time after time, ever wondered why? It’s the party machine behind them of cause and the fact that regardless of their non delivery they stay pasted on to the Liberal Party in a coalition. What we need it to break this nexus between powerful city Liberals and subservient Nevil Nobody rural Nationals. The only way this can be done is to send an Independent to Canberra. The likelihood of a hung parliament after this election will mean Independents will have a great deal of power to deliver for their electorates what they are saying and what we all need to think seriously about is if the Independent we may send to Canberra doesn’t go all out to do what they told us they would we can flick them quick because they don’t have a mega funded party behind them to keep them there regardless of non-performance. This is the best chance in half a century for the people of Cowper to really send someone who can do to Canberra, and we can quickly dump them if they don’t perform. End our pathetic representation in Canberra, give an Independent a go. Reply
