Climate change - Labor believes the end is nigh
Neil Keene
The Daily Telegraph
August 05, 2011
FIRST it was floods and famine, now it is disease that the ALP says will get us if we don't stop climate change.
Minister for Human Services Tanya Plibersek's prediction this week that global warming would wipe out the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu and much of Australia's food supply earned her the unofficial title of prophet of doom.
But she might have a worthy deputy in Western Sydney MP David Bradbury. In a recent statement, Mr Bradbury warned that climate change would result locally in an outbreak of serious disease.
"Without taking action, Australia is expected to experience higher rates of infectious and vector-borne diseases as well as food and waterborne diseases," he said.
Vector-borne diseases currently in Australia include dengue fever, malaria and Ross River fever.
Ironically, Mr Bradbury was speaking at the time to protest against what he described as the Coalition's "scaremongering" tactics.
Yesterday, Mr Bradbury said a range of scientific bodies had highlighted the impacts of climate change on human health, including the World Health Organisation and the Australian Medical Association.
Liberal senator for Western Sydney Marise Payne said Mr Bradbury should be more concerned about the immediate effects of a carbon tax on his local community.
"If what Mr Bradbury is saying is not scare tactics, I don't know what is," the Liberal Senator said.
The Coalition claims soaring electricity prices will cost Nepean Hospital $150,000-$300,000 more a year.
"The implications of the carbon tax cannot be blithely wiped aside," Ms Payne said.
"It means three nursing professionals or three other medical professionals on the ground and assisting patients at Nepean Hospital."
Australian Medical Association president Steve Hambleton said the extreme weather events caused by climate change could increase the risk of disease, particularly with flooding and waterborne illness.
Bradbury bites back
Written by Troy Dodds
WesternWeekender
Friday, 15 July 2011 16:09 
Federal Member for Lindsay, David Bradbury, today accused State Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, of using dodgy figures to exaggerate the effects of carbon pricing on the health care system.
“Stuart Ayres will not reveal the details of the modelling he relies upon because he is using dodgy figures to create fear about the impact of the carbon price.” Mr Bradbury said.
In a statement today, Mr Bradbury's office said Treasury modelling indicates that the impact of a carbon price on the cost of hospital and medical services will be minimal – around 0.3% based on a $23 carbon price.
“Failing to act on Climate Change will come at a greater cost to the health system overtime.” Mr Bradbury said.
“Without taking action, Australia is expected to experience higher rates of infectious and vector-borne diseases as well as food and water borne diseases.
“If Stuart Ayres is serious about delivering better health services, he should spend less time on opportunistic media stunts about Federal issues and more time explaining to the nurses and paramedics of Nepean Hospital why his Government is stripping away their pay and conditions."
100 public sector workers rallied in protest outside Mr Ayres’ office this week, representing the 12,000 public sector workers who live and work in Penrith and surrounding areas.
“Stuart Ayres should leave the media stunts on Federal issues to Tony Abbott and instead explain to our local public sector workers why his Government is taking away their rights," Mr Bradbury said.
Lord Christopher Monckton and Dr Richard Denniss National Press Club Canberra.
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