Anthony Albanese has denounced Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy policies and promoted his own climate change plans when asked about the Los Angeles bushfires.
During an election campaign trip to Western Australia on Friday, Mr Albanese was asked whether he was concerned that Australia would not receive as much support from overseas countries if serious bushfires hit Down Under, given the scale of the fires in the US.
The California fires have killed at least seven people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Mr Albanese replied: ‘Climate change is real. It does not mean that every event that occurs… is an extreme weather event (and) is the result of climate change.
“What it does mean is that science tells us that more extreme weather events will happen and they will be more intense.”
Mr Albanese then went on to attack the Coalition’s nuclear power policy, saying Australia could not afford to stop trading “until the 2040s and then we will build you a nuclear power station… That doesn’t make sense.” ‘
He then described the government’s clean energy policy this way: ‘The good news is that the right response to climate change will create opportunities for new industry, new jobs and new growth.
“There is no country better positioned to benefit from, for example, the minerals that will power the world in the 21st century than Australia.”
Anthony Albanese made the comments about Peter Dutton’s energy policies during a press conference in Perth, WA, on Friday morning
The comments were sharply criticized by Opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien, who said in a statement first reported by News Corp: “LA is on fire and Australians are concerned about fire risks here at home, and the best thing the Prime Minister can do is take a crack at Peter Dutton and the coalition’s future energy plan.
‘This is coming from someone who won office by campaigning to cut emissions, only to reverse the Coalition’s track record of consecutive year-on-year emissions reductions, and instead emissions increased.
“Politicizing the LA fires by criticizing the Coalition’s future energy policy is a horrible reflection on Anthony Albanese’s character.
“He craves a fight about why climate change matters, but the debate has moved on – it’s no longer about ‘why’ to act on climate change, but about ‘how’, and this is where his government is failing on all fronts.
“The coalition’s plan for a balanced energy mix of renewables, nuclear and gas is working and we know this because it is working around the world.”
Australia has offered help to struggling US fire authorities in their battle against worsening, out-of-control fires in Los Angeles.
California’s massive fires have killed at least seven people and destroyed thousands of homes. Above, crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills of Los Angeles
Diplomatic channels had been opened to let the US know Australia was ready to help despite the fires happening during Australia’s peak bushfire season, Emergency Situations Minister Jenny McAllister said.
The US had yet to formally request assistance as of Friday afternoon, and Senator McAllister acknowledged that the size of aid would have to be weighed against domestic needs.
A number of Australians are involved in the fire, including superstar actress Rebel Wilson.
Wilson, who has a home in the area, took to social media to express her disbelief and thank a friend for vital help.
‘I can’t believe this… thank you Ornela for saving our cat!’ she wrote in an Instagram story.