Abbott gives Bendigo party the slip

By Rosa Ellen
Updated November 7 2012 - 6:19am, first published October 6 2011 - 11:07am
Stepping up: Protesters wait for Tony Abbott to show up at The Capital.
Stepping up: Protesters wait for Tony Abbott to show up at The Capital.

  • Editorial: Leaders should be open to hear from all public FEDERAL Opposition leader Tony Abbot wasn’t in the mood for the party 100 pro-carbon tax protestors organised on the steps of The Capital theatre.The Liberal leader was in Bendigo yesterday to address an invite-only community forum of around 190 people.Mr Abbott eluded the protestors, many holding colourful windmills and signs, by going through the back entrance to the building.Bendigo Sustainability Group president Dave Brownbill said the outside rally had been organised to show Mr Abbot that the community supported a price on pollution and was not intended to be confrontational.“This celebration was called by local ordinary Australians who support a price on pollution and want a greener economy,” he told the crowd.Mr Brownbill said Mr Abbott’s community forum appeared to be invitation only and had not included any environmental groups.“We only found out about it because we know someone who had been invited,” he said.Bendigo mother Melanie Chapman said her husband had received an invite to the forum and she had contacted the BSG to see if there was a pro-carbon tax action planned for the event.“I’d never previously been active on climate action,” she said. “It amazes me when Australia is experiencing climate change now with floods and fires that we can turn a blind eye to it.”Inside Mr Abbott answered a range of questions, including those from two sustainability group members given invitations on the morning of the forum. Mr Abbott said climate change was not the only environmental issue and that it was a pity the carbon package had not included clean coal technology in its renewable energy funding.“We’ve supported significant increases in the use of renewable energy but we’ve got to also accept that there is a lot of controversy about these wind farms,” he said. “I think it’s good that the Baillieu government has brought in new rules to prevent wind farms being too close to residential areas and we’ve got to remember always that when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine the power doesn’t flow. We do need to keep using coal and gas if we are going to have base load power at an affordable price.”The visit was one of a series of stops through central Victoria by Mr Abbott, who on Wednesday spoke to a forum in Ballarat.
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