General News
30 October, 2020
Vote of conscience
Local Anglican Priest Neil Forgie says climate change is the biggest moral and spiritual issue for people to consider this election.
In the media this week, Cairns Catholic Bishop James Foley stated he was “perplexed” about who to vote for, with Labor’s progressive stance on euthanasia and abortion being the biggest moral issues for him. But Rev. Forgie told Cairns Local News the decision was crystal clear for him that the biggest issue was climate change.
“I advise parishioners to consult their moral conscience in regard to what sort of planet we leave for future generations when they head to the polls, because the ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children.
“The official consensus of the Anglican church both nationally and internationally is that climate change is no longer a matter up for debate, it is a fact, and we have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
The Australian Labor party have committed to achieve 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 through a $500 million investment in publicly-owned renewables such as wind and solar backed by battery storage, while the Greens have committed to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, and the Liberal-National Party have not committed to any renewable energy targets.
“In an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, myself and more than 150 faith leaders have declared that the climate situation is an emergency and urged a halt to all new coal and gas projects, starting with the proposed Adani mine,” said Rev. Forgie.
“We recognise that climate change is not only a scientific, environmental, economic and political issue – it is also a profoundly moral and spiritual one.
“The wellbeing of human beings is dependent on ecological flourishing, and it is the vulnerable people of the world who are most impacted by climate change.
“This Queensland election, as we rebuild from the pandemic, we have a rare chance to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable society. For the sake of our kids, we must seize it.
“This Queensland election we want to see decisive government policy enabling a faster transition to renewables and sustainable stimulus to help our region, Reef and planet recover. It’s the right thing to do.”
