Where's Wally?

Where's Wally? Costa a no-show for climate debate in Hunter

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon said that Michael Costa's refusal to respond to her invitation to a public debate about climate change and the Hunter's economic future speaks volumes about the priority he places on the Hunter's future.

"It is disappointing that the Minister for the Hunter Michael Costa has not even bothered to respond to my invitation for a public debate in Newcastle even though the Hunter is at the coalface of climate change", said Ms Rhiannon.

"I wrote to the Minister for the Hunter on 23 February asking for a public debate on coal and climate change in Newcastle and proposed five dates before the election. I also made myself available for a public debate at any other time that was convenient to him.

"My office has followed up this letter with three phone calls but I have heard nothing in response.

"Mr Costa's silence speaks volumes about the priority he places on future directions for the Hunter in the face of climate change.

"Mr Costa is one of the last self-confessed climate change sceptics left standing and his refusal to budge is hurting the Hunter.

"Mr Costa seems to have a narrow view of the opportunities in the Hunter. The region will lose jobs if it does not get behind clean green manufacturing. Manufacturing renewable technology would provide jobs growth in the Hunter and new export opportunities.

"At budget estimates last year, Mr Costa ridiculed research from the AMWU showing that 222 jobs are leaving the NSW manufacturing sector each week. I challenged Mr Costa to set up a manufacturing council in NSW to promote job growth in this ailing sector but he refused.

"Mr Costa has walked away from a public discussion about climate change, job creation in the manufacturing industry and the impact of coal mining on the environment and tourism in the Hunter", said Ms Rhiannon.