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| Senator Hanson Young speaking in.the Senate |
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Australian Greens, South Australia) did not mince words in the Senate today, delivering a blistering critique of the Coalition's stance on climate change. Rising to address the chamber, the Manager of Australian Greens Business in the Senate launched a sharp verbal attack, describing the Opposition as a "clown show" and a "rabble of climate-denying, attention-seeking knuckle draggers."
Denial and Disregard
The core of Senator Hanson-Young's argument focused on the Coalition's perceived denial across several critical fronts:
Climate Science: Directly accusing them of "denying the science of climate change."
Security Advice: Highlighting a disregard for "security advice to Australians about the impact that the climate crisis will have if we don't act."
Community Needs: Asserting they are "denying the very help and support needed by our regional communities, who are already feeling the brunt of the climate crisis."
The Senator stressed that the effects of a changing climate—extreme weather events, floods, fires, droughts, and cyclones—are already being felt across Australia, from "the bush, in the regions, along our coastline, in our suburbs or in our cities."
South Australia's Cry for Action
Bringing the crisis close to home, Senator Hanson-Young cited the specific example of her home state, South Australia, where the coastline is reportedly "devastated because of the marine heatwave that's caused the toxic algal bloom."
"South Australians want climate action. We can't even swim safely at the beach today, let alone over summer," she stated.
Fossil Fuel Focus Over Future
According to the Greens Senator, the Coalition's response to this crisis is not to address the root cause—pollution—but to double down on fossil fuels. She condemned their reported aims:
To "give taxpayer money to the coal industry."
To "dump the commitment to Paris."
To "handbrake on climate action."
A Challenge to Leadership
Concluding her remarks, Senator Hanson-Young squarely challenged the new leadership of the Opposition, asking, "Well, what is Sussan Ley, the Leader of the Opposition, going to do about it? Is she going to stare down the knuckle draggers, or are they going to get their way?"
The fiery speech underscores the deep ideological rift between the Greens and the Coalition on climate policy and sets a confrontational tone for future parliamentary debates on environmental action and energy.
What are your thoughts on Senator Hanson-Young's critique? Do you believe the Coalition needs a clearer stance on climate change, or is their current position more aligned with community needs? Share your opinion in the comments on our Social Media
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