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Coffs Harbour climate forum turns heat on Cowper election candidates

Organisers of a climate forum at Coffs Harbour in the up run to the election reserved a dinosaur effigy for sitting member Pat Conaghan. See what got their goat.

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Local federal MP Pat Conaghan couldn’t make the Cowper Climate Forum at Coffs Harbour - so an effigy of a dinosaur was displayed in his honour.

Around 100 people - many of them young - packed Cavanbah Hall for the Q&A ahead of the 2022 election on May 21.

Five of the seven election candidates fronted the throng: Carolyn Heise (independent), Keith McMullen (Labor), Timothy Nott (Greens), Faye Aspiotis (One Nation) and Simon Chasling (Liberal Democrats).

Mr Conaghan and United Australia Party’s Joshua Fairhall did not attend.

The event on Friday night was hosted by the Coffs Coast Climate Action Group (CCCAG) and the local School Strike 4 Climate group.

Keith McMullen, Mimi Arraiza, Rataj Abdullah, Milla Giese, Freyja Giese, Carolyn Heise and Timothy Nott at the Cowper Climate Forum at Coffs Harbour.
Keith McMullen, Mimi Arraiza, Rataj Abdullah, Milla Giese, Freyja Giese, Carolyn Heise and Timothy Nott at the Cowper Climate Forum at Coffs Harbour.

Several questions came from children and teenagers, who expressed concern for their future, in light of the perceived increase in extreme weather events, flood 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 centred on removing taxpayer subsidies for fossil fuels, plans for a ‘fair’ transition away from coal and gas, and cutting emissions to reach nett zero.

Cowper federal election candidates front the climate forum at Coffs Harbour's Cavanbah Hall. From left are Caz Heise, Faye Aspiotis, Timothy Nott, Simon Chaseling and Keith McMullen.
Cowper federal election candidates front the climate forum at Coffs Harbour's Cavanbah Hall. From left are Caz Heise, Faye Aspiotis, Timothy Nott, Simon Chaseling and Keith McMullen.

Forum organiser Liisa Rusanen said there was significant enthusiasm in the audience for the growing renewables industry, which “already has a strong base in Cowper, with the potential for many more local jobs”.

One of the attendees, Nicole Read, said: “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.”

Ms Rusanen from the Coffs Coast Climate Action Group said she was disappointed Mr Conaghan did not attend, but made no apologies for the dinosaur suit stunt.

Organisers of a climate forum at Coffs Harbour chose to make a statement because incumbent Cowper MP Pat Conaghan did not attend.
Organisers of a climate forum at Coffs Harbour chose to make a statement because incumbent Cowper MP Pat Conaghan did not attend.

“The dinosaur suit refers to the National Party’s climate stance, their ongoing support for fossil energy sources, coal and gas, which fuel more extreme weather events and risk mass extinction,” she said.

Mr Conaghan’s office has been contacted for comment.

Forum attendee Bill Davies, who asked a question about donations to political parties from coal and gas companies, described the open meeting 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 do 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.”

Coffs Coast Climate Action Group will release a ‘scorecard’ for the candidates in the Cowper and Page electorates this week based on the group’s assessment of their climate policies. The scorecards will be posted to the group’s website and social media pages.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/coffs-harbour/coffs-harbour-climate-forum-turns-heat-on-cowper-election-candidates/news-story/425404e532a4b6fb6ca7dc39edc67c90