Page 12 - NLN Feb20 Edition

Drou
Drought & Fire Forumght & Fire Forum

Held in North Lakeses
Held in North Lak

Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth held a Community
Drought and Fire Forum on Wednesday 15th January at The
North Lakes Library (The Corso) in response to the ongoing
environmental disaster.

He invited Federal Minister David Littleproud and state
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, to speak with locals on
the current situation and outline measures being taken by the
Federal Government under the biggest federal response to a
disaster since cyclone Tracey.

The forum was attended by more than one hundred locals, who Speaker: David Littleproud, Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural
also had the opportunity to ask questions of the MP’s. Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management

There was a broad audience turnout from all corners of the “When I’m out and about in the electorate, locals will often ask
electorate, with representation from various groups including me about the drought and bushfire situation, they want to know
ADF Veterans, Mango Hill Progress Association, Bald Hills what the government is doing about it and how they can help.”
Bushies, Redcliffe Environmental Forum, North Lakes Lions and
students from The Lakes College and Dakabin State High School. “It’s clear that a lot of locals are interested in finding out more
about the Morrison Government’s response to these issues, so I
Mr Howarth thanked the local community for the offers of help made it a priority to speak to the Minister for Water Resources,
his office had received in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency
and made particular mention of the individuals and groups he Management and organise for him to visit Petrie and speak
was aware of who had rallied to raise donations. In a statement, to locals.”
Mr Howarth said he was very happy with the turnout and the
level of engagement displayed during the forum. “Go out into these
affected regions and

spend some money”

Many of the questions during the Q&A centred around climate
change and predictably, there were a range of polarised
viewpoints. Some in the audience mocked the government at
their perceived denial on the issue, others questioned whether
the government is doing enough to address climate change and
some wanted to make their point that climate change is not
man made.

Both Mr Howarth and Mr Littleproud responded well to questions
on climate change, reiterating that the Morrison Government
both believes that climate change is real, is taking real action
and is driving investment in clean energy technologies, via a
$3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package, which will enable them
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington speaks with locals after the forum
to meet the Paris 2030 target.”