Denying the people a debate
… with some half-baked excuse about the Opposition “not having a policy” – why on earth that would stop him debating the issue? Well, actually, I think we know the real reason, don’t we, readers?
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has dismissed a challenge for a series of public debates over climate change, saying the Federal Opposition needs to have a policy first.
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he wants to have the debates over the proposed emissions trading scheme before the Government reintroduces the legislation in February.
But Mr Rudd says Mr Abbott should instead focus his efforts on developing a Coalition policy.
“Mr Howard had a policy on climate change, Mr Turnbull had a policy on climate change – it was called an emissions trading scheme,” he said.
“Mr Abbott – the current leader of the Liberal Party – does not have any policy on climate change.
“I’d suggest the Leader of the Opposition calms down, puts in the hard yards and actually develops a policy.”
Despite the attempt at matey banter, and patronising put downs of Tony Abbott, it is still transparent as a sheet of Glad Wrap, Kevin!
If you don’t turn up, you lose.
Read it here.
Australian Climate Madness 
Well. It would make sense for the opposition to have a policy
70 years old – but somehow appropriate:
@Peter Williams: Yes indeed, and there will be one – Abbott has only been leader for a few days. But why does that prevent Rudd from debating climate issues? Does it prevent Rudd from answering questions about his own ETS? Does it prevent him from debating Climategate, or the impartiality of the IPCC? The reality is that parroting “the science is settled” or “the debate is over” just doesn’t work (except with ABC presenters such as Tony Jones and Kerry O’Brien)
Penny Wong has refused to tell us anything about the ETS.
Kevin Rudd has refused to tell us anything about the ETS.
Why would they want to stand up in public and debate something that they refuse to talk about? Is it possible that they also have no policy? Or maybe they are hiding something and don’t want the public to know.
Perhaps the debate could be held on FM breakfast radio. We all know Mr Rudd loves to play up to the youngsters… the ones who haven’t learned to think for themselves yet.