Letter to the Editor: Why suspend climate action?

DEAR News Of The Area,

I AM disappointed that a cabal of conservative councillors hijacked a recent Port Stephens Council meeting and suspended our local policy on Emissions Reduction.

To make matters worse, it appears that the motion was rammed through without any community consultation, by a narrow margin of five votes to four against.

May I take this opportunity to remind all Port Stephens councillors that they serve at the pleasure of the 76,000 residents of Port Stephens LGA, not for the benefit of polluting fossil fuel corporations or rich mining moguls.

I demand that the motion suspending the Emissions Reduction policy be rescinded and that the five councillors apologise to the citizens of Port Stephens for the rushed and arrogant way in which the suspension occurred.

The Emissions Reduction Action Plan, which I found online, is a 100-page document – a scientifically and environmentally sensible policy in harmony with the climate action agenda of all levels of government, including other local councils in our region.

If former One Nation and former Liberal Party interests don’t like this environmental policy, may I suggest that they explain in detail what they object to and why they don’t support sensible climate action.

Then, in the interests of democracy and open government, hold a public consultation process and listen to community input.

Regards,
Kenneth HIGGS,
Raymond Terrace.