Climate scientists win respect from MPs in unanimous vote

Australia’s climate scientists have received a unanimous vote of “full confidence’’ in their work from all political parties in the lower house of the federal parliament.

New South Wales independent MP Rob Oakeshott (pictured) introduced the motion on 29 May, calling for the House of Representatives to “express full confidence in the work of Australia’s science community’’. The motion was seconded by NSW independent Tony Windsor, who described “persecution of the scientific community’’ over climate change research as one of the “great tragedies’’ of the current parliament.

The motion was introduced just two days after Senate Estimates hearings in Canberra during which senators from the Liberal and National parties questioned the integrity of Australia’s Climate Commission chief, Tim Flannery, and grilled senior Department of Climate Change staff over the science underpinning policy initiatives.