Thread by @ActOnClimateVic

We’re here with a big room of community members for the Hawthorn Candidates Forum organised by the legends at @LiteFootPrints … follow this thread for live tweeting of the event! #springst #vicvotes

Candidates present are:
Sitting MP @JohnKennedyMP (Labor)
@JohnPesutto (Liberal)
Nick Savage - @NickForHawthorn (Greens)
Melissa Lowe - @mel4hawthorn (Ind)

.@JonathanLaNauze of @EnviroVic opens the night and asks if the next elected state government will seize the opportunities presented by taking serious action on climate change, for all of us.

‘Show of hands: who lives in the electorate of Hawthorn?’

The local community sure has turned up en masse!

The candidates begin their opening addresses.

John Kennedy, current Labor MP for Hawthorn, says his understanding of the seriousness of climate change has deepened since becoming an MP. Says Victoria is now on track to be one of the fastest decarbonising countries in the world.

Next up, Independent candidate Melissa Lowe.

Has worked in higher education, currently at Swinburne U. Sees climate change and corruption as the greatest long term threats to the community.

She felt ‘politically homeless’ until emergence of independents at ‘22 fed election.

Melissa says she takes lead from scientists’ advice that to have a hope of keeping global warming below 1.5C, we need to cut emissions by 75% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2035.

John Pesutto, Liberal candidate for Hawthorn makes his address.

Fmr member for Hawthorn and fmr shadow attorney general.

John says we’re at the phase of the transition required to tackle climate change where it gets harder, not easier.

John Pesutto says ‘we need people across the political divide’ to unite behind action on climate.

John Pesutto says that for him, the Libs’ commitment to 50% emissions reduction by 2030 ‘is a minimum’.

We’re eager to know if others in @LiberalVictoria agree and would match Victorian Labor’s ERT of 75-80% by 2035.

Nick Savage, Greens candidates, steps up to the mic.

Nick has worked in hospo, retail, education and int’l development. Says ‘despair is the biggest roadblock my generation faces’ when it comes to climate change.

First question by @LiteFootPrints: ‘what year should Victoria end native forest logging and why?’

Nick Savage says we should end native forest logging in 2023. Points out that the industry operates at a loss to the taxpayer.

John Pesutto says his biggest priority is to support communities through the transition. Supports a sustainable plantation industry.

Pesutto won’t confirm what timeline @LiberalVictoria supports for end of logging. Says he can’t see industry lasting beyond 2040.

Melissa Lowe says we need an immediate legislated end to native forest logging - 2024 in her policy. She recently visited Toolangi and saw the devastation caused by logging on local ecosystems. Notes that 80% of timber logged is used for pulp - paper.

Melissa Lowe notes that it costs $21 million a year of public money to maintain the native forest logging industry.

John Kennedy says native forest logging should end ‘as soon as practically possible, and bring the communities along with us.’

Second question from @LiteFootPrints: ‘Do you support new fossil fuel projects in Australia and why?’

Melissa Lowe is an easy ‘no!’

John Kennedy: ‘I don’t have an opinion’ on whether there should be new fossil fuel projects in Victoria.

No further comment.

John Pesutto says ‘we all want transition but can’t stop everything tomorrow’. That wasn’t the question - the q was about new fossil fuel projects.

Pesutto says that as part of the transition, ‘we need to tap into new gas sources’.

Nick Savage says that all workers affected by the transition out of fossil fuels and native forest logging should have paid-for training to work in new industries.

Says we can have no new coal or gas if we are to avoid catastrophic impacts.

Question: what policies would the candidates support to retrain people in industries affected by the transition from fossil fuels and logging?

John Pesutto says the retraining of people into new jobs needs to be industry-led.

Question: What do you plan to do to retrofit Victorian homes for efficiency, given that more people die from cold exposure in Victoria than Sweden?

John Kennedy says the solar homes program will help Victorian homes reduce power bills (the question was about retrofitting - not addressed).

Melissa Lowe says community members she talks to don’t understand how to access govt benefits like rooftop solar.

John Pesutto says the Liberals will support the rollout of solar and batteries in Vic homes.

We seem to have gone off track bit… question was about retrofitting.

Brought back to topic by Nick Savage. Says he lives in a rental with mushrooms growing on the wall that his landlord won’t fix. Support retrofitting support of all homes, eg double glazing.

Question: what will candidates do to tackle Victoria’s transport emissions?

John Pesutto: scrap EV tax. Rollout charging stations. $2 a day cap on public transport.

Melissa Lowe: scrap EV tax. Encourage active transport, eg electric bikes and better bike paths so people don’t need to rely on cars. Make green transport possible right across Vic for regional communities and tourists.

John Kennedy says the Andrews govt has a policy that 50% of new vehicles sold should be electric by 2030.

Says the EV tax is needed to help pay for road maintenance (which will still be needed with EVs).

Nick Savage says accessibility should be a priority for public transport.

Question about new anti protest laws in Victoria: what are the candidates’ views on the laws?

John Kennedy says the fundamental reason for the law is the safety of timber workers. Says it’s about ‘striking a compromise’ between timber workers and people protesting.

Melissa Lowe says protest is a human right and democratic right and shouldn’t be criminalised. Says she was once arrested in a protest to protect trees from logging.

John Pesutto says the right to protest has to be balanced with the rights of others. Says it should convey the message needed without interfering with others.

Nick Savage says the anti protest laws reveal that the major parties want ‘business as usual’ to continue.

Points out that the law could mean a citizen is criminalised for simply surveying for threatened species.

Question: what do you think is the biggest issue facing politics in Victoria today?

Melissa Lowe: integrity - can see this in decisions around logging. Says policy isn’t being made based on evidence.

John Kennedy says the number one issue of climate change, and fairness when it comes to tackling it.

Nick Savage says it’s integrity. Says donations from fossil fuel industry and gambling industry needs to stop.

Final Question for John Kennedy: why should the audience vote for Labor given continuation of logging and proposals for new gas extraction?

John Kennedy reiterates the govt’s track record of advancement on climate action so far.

Question for Melissa Lowe: which party would she align with in the case of a hung parliament?

Melissa says she won’t support a party, she’ll support the evidence.

Question for John Pesutto: at the 2018 election, Vic Liberal party didn’t have a climate policy. Why should voters believe the Liberal party’s turnaround is real?

John says the progress the Vic Liberal party has made on climate policy in last 4 yrs demonstrates will for change

Final question for Nick Savage: why should voters vote for the Greens?

Nick says the Greens don’t take any donations from big banks, fossil fuel companies or gambling industry. Says they are funded by the community and of the community.

And that’s a wrap! My fingers hurt from typing, the candidates sure gave me a good Twitter workout.

The contest in Hawthorn is going to be very interesting to watch. Thanks to @LiteFootPrints for putting on the forum, ya legends!