13 February 2006The Sydney Morning Herald
Labor is calling for a broad inquiry into allegations by senior CSIRO scientists they were gagged from airing their concerns over climate change.
Environmental group Greenpeace also wants an inquiry that would also include wider claims of coal industry interference in government policy-making on climate change.
Three eminent Australian scientists have told the ABC's Four Corners program to be broadcast on Monday night that they have been censored.
Labor's science and training spokeswoman Jenny Macklin described the situation as a national disgrace.
She said Labor would pursue the claims at Senate estimates this week but wanted a broader inquiry.
"These scientists have been gagged for talking about one of the most important issues facing the world, and that is climate change," Ms Macklin told reporters.
"We want to make sure that our scientists can speak freely, can make sure that our politicians, our government departments and the public really do understand the critical importance of the science of climate change, and we cannot afford to have these scientists gagged.
"What Labor wants to do is get to the bottom of this.
"We will certainly be pursuing this matter at Senate estimates this week.
"We think that there should be a broader inquiry into whether or not the Howard government has extensively sought to gag these senior scientists."
Ms Macklin said it was known that one of the scientists wanted to warn the public about the implications of greenhouse gases, particularly the implications for the Pacific islands, and was told not to include that material in a government publication.
Labor and the government are at odds on how to tackle climate change, particularly on the issue of the Kyoto Protocol, which the government refuses to ratify and which Labor believes should be ratified.
Government policy weighted towards finding technological solutions to clean up existing energy production which in Australia is heavily coal-based.
Greenpeace spokesman Danny Kennedy said the government alone had the ultimate responsibility to come clean if indeed a so-called climate mafia was undermining climate science and solutions.
"An AWB-type cover up will not satisfy the public," he said.
"We must see an independent inquiry into whether the Liberal Party is secretly addicted to coal donations funnelled through political fundraising front groups by key sceptics Hugh Morgan and Ray Evans.
"Speculation about the revelations to be aired tonight on Four Corners is concerning and there needs to be an independent judicial inquiry to uncover the facts and find a clear way forward."
