Lord Christopher Monckton
CONTROVERSIAL English peer and climate sceptic Lord Christopher Monckton will be in Bathurst on Friday night to share his views on the tyranny of global warming, the carbon tax and unelected bureaucracies.
Lord Monckton will be hosted by the fledgling Democratic Labor Party (DLP) as part of a speaking tour of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
DLP candidate for Calare Anthony Craig confirmed the visit, saying he hoped it would boost his party’s profile within the electorate ahead of the federal election on September 14.
“The DLP has been struggling to a get a voice in the mainstream media because the media is generally only interested in the major parties,” Mr Craig said.
“So, unfortunately, we have to do something a bit controversial to get some interest. Lord Monckton is a topical character as climate change sceptic with very clear views on what's going on with regard to climate.”
However, depite hosting one of the world's best known climate sceptics, Mr Craig admits he does not agree with all Lord Monckton’s views.
But he said that in a democracy, it was important for all opinions to be heard.
“Lord Monckton has his views on climate change and the science community have theirs,” Mr Craig said.
“The DLP accepts people are concerned about global warming but there’s still a debate about what’s causing it. I don’t necessarily agree with Lord Monckton but we live in a democracy so he has every right to be heard.
“We accept the fact that climate change is a significant concern, but we believe there are other ways and means to reduce it.
“Rather than a carbon tax, the DLP supports incentives to reduce carbon emissions.”
Mr Craig said he hoped Lord Monckton's appearance would not lead to protests outside the Bathurst RSL and he invited people to go along to hear what he had to say.
* Lord Monckton will present his address at the Bathurst RSL from 7pm on Friday, February 22. Tickets are available through Ticketek.