2023-04-05
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has backed today’s call by former defence and security chiefs for the government to release a recent review of the security implications of the climate crisis.
The Office of National Intelligence climate risk assessment report, commissioned by the government after taking office, has not been made public despite similar assessments being declassified and released in the past.
Comments from Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:
“The Government wants to believe that the climate wars are over, but as the climate crisis gets worse, defence chiefs are warning that conflict from global heating is just warming up,” Mr Bandt said.
“Australia’s safety is under threat from coal and gas.
“Labor is refusing to confront the scale of the climate crisis, keeping secret a report that would likely deliver a body blow to new coal and gas mines.
“The climate crisis is the biggest threat to our nation, yet the government is keeping people in the dark.
“People are already worried about how the climate crisis will impact their lives, and government secrecy about the scale of the problem won’t reassure the public.
“The government should release this report. The Pentagon and the UK have released similar assessments and there is no reason why Australia shouldn’t too.
“If the first job of government is to keep people safe, then part of doing that is being upfront about the security risks to the country from the climate crisis.