Parliamentary responses to a briefing from DEA

Members of Doctors for the Environment Australia will be aware that an important part of our work involves periodic briefings of all members of the Federal Parliament. We do not regard this activity as lobbying, rather it is a briefing within the sphere of our expertise. A recent briefing covered important implications of climate change for  human health. The letter was personally addressed to each Member and Senator of Parliament at their constituency offices. The briefing was headed “Health aspects of Climate Change”.

Here I summarize the responses we received for your interest and comment. Your blogs will be appreciated and indeed please express your opinion on topics that are within our policies that you feel might be raised in future briefings.

Firstly an excerpt from the briefing

Heat deaths
In comments on projections for Sydney’s future there will be a significant impact on the health of the city's human residents. Professor Tony McMichael, Head of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University's said, "Heat waves will become much more frequent, rather more intense, and they'll be impinging on an ageing population, so we'd expect the number of deaths and hospitalisations to increase rather dramatically by the middle of this century.  For an increase of two or three degrees centigrade, we'd expect the total number of deaths each summer in a city like Sydney to increase by a factor of three, four, five, depending on just how much the temperature is rising."
We have learned for the European heat wave in August 2003 which caused in excess of 30,000 deaths. Studies in France looked at vulnerable populations. Factors contributing to death in those over 65 living at home during the heat wave were lack of mobility, preexisting illness, housing that lacked insulation, was on the top floor and was in an urban heat island as shown by satellite imaging. Appropriate dress and air conditioning were protective. Clearly older people in Australia will have to be educated and monitored. Urban planning and housing design will have to be greatly modified. And recognizing that increased use of air conditioners will be costly, there will have to be concessions. As in Barcelona, Spain meteorological offices will need issue health earnings to hospitals when prolonged heat waves are expected, so that emergency planning for increased emissions can be implemented.
This example illustrates problems that cut across many government departments and will require planning and allocation of resources The same will apply to the other health aspects………….

The responses from the Coalition were more detailed and relevant than those from Labor. They included responses from Ministers and ex Ministers with portfolios out with environment and health. These responses clearly indicated the briefing had been read for certain points were responded to. Most members who responded said  “Thank you for your letter on climate change…” and then reiterated government policy. It is clear that any letter mentioning climate change gets the same nationally prepared letter that refers to not signing Kyoto and which was inappropriate to our briefing. In response to our briefing which we believe has relevance to every citizen, one member said, in declining to comment “it is my duty and policy to deal generally with matters raised by constituents living in the electorate as they are mostly not represented by lobby groups….” . A reply from one Senator, said “Thank you for your recent letter  regarding climate change and the Kyoto protocol (not mentioned in our briefing letter)…. The Minister for the Environment Senator Campbell is working…" . Obviously we were tossed last year’s letter to the “greenies" !  No prizes for guessing the State
COMMENT. Much better responses from Ministers than from members. My marking of the Coalition response 2 out of 10

The responses from Labor included some from Shadow Ministers, one of which was very detailed and will be followed by a further briefing from us. There were fewer responses from Members and Senators than with the Coalition and they all repeated exactly what Kevin Rudd said in his letter
COMMENT. Disappointing response from a party wanting to impress. My marking 1.5 out of 10

For the record there were responses from Family First, the Greens and the Democrats

Conclusions We will persevere!. We will continue to gradually build up contacts