Ah, Queensland. The land of sun-soaked beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and… a climate-sceptic environment minister. In a plot twist that feels ripped from an especially absurd political satire, Andrew Powell has returned to his old stomping grounds as the state’s environment minister. And like a band that insists on playing their one-hit wonder from 12 years ago, Powell is dusting off his greatest hit: “I’m not 100% convinced humans are causing climate change.” Cue the eye-rolls.
Powell, who first debuted this baffling scepticism back in 2012 under the Campbell Newman government, has now boldly stood by his comments in the face of mounting scientific evidence, public outcry, and, you know, the glaring reality of a warming planet. It’s like watching someone double down on the flat earth theory while standing on a beach watching the curve of the horizon.
Let’s unpack this mess, shall we?
Climate Scepticism, the Sequel Nobody Wanted
When Powell first expressed his scepticism over human-induced climate change in 2012, the world was already in the throes of undeniable climate crises. Polar ice caps were melting, bushfires were raging, and scientists were waving red flags so frantically they could have moonlighted as semaphore instructors. Powell, however, wasn’t convinced. He hedged his bets, saying, “Are we polluting the environment? Yes we are. Are we using a non-renewable energy source? Yes we are. Do we need to address both of those factors? Yes we do.”
That’s right, folks. He acknowledged pollution and unsustainable energy use but couldn’t quite connect the dots to their role in global warming. It’s like admitting your house is on fire but insisting that it’s probably just the stove acting up again.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Powell is back in the hot seat. When Greens MP Michael Berkman grilled him during parliament’s question time, Powell’s response was equal parts deflection and denial. “I stand by those comments,” he said, presumably with the unshakeable confidence of a man who’s somehow made it through 12 years of climate science updates with his fingers firmly in his ears.
The Newman Era Nostalgia Tour
For those unfamiliar with the Campbell Newman era, it was a time when environmental policy in Queensland felt like watching a demolition derby—except the cars were forests, climate programs, and renewable energy initiatives. One of Powell’s first acts as environment minister back then was cutting funding to the state’s Office of Climate Change. Ironically, one of the staffers let go was none other than Michael Berkman, who now stands in parliament, calling Powell out like a ghost of environmental crises past.
Berkman minced no words this week, calling Powell’s views “dangerous, anti-science” and warning that his reappointment to the portfolio signals a return to the “dark ages” of climate denialism. Harsh? Sure. Accurate? Absolutely.
The Science We’re Supposed to Pretend Doesn’t Exist
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the carbon emissions heating the room to elephant-in-the-Sahara levels. The science behind human-induced climate change is, to put it mildly, not up for debate. It’s as established as the fact that Queensland summers are blisteringly hot or that magpies are terrifyingly aggressive during swooping season.
Griffith University emeritus professor Ian Lowe summed it up best: “It’s like having a health minister who doesn’t accept that there are bacteria and viruses.” Imagine the chaos if Australia’s health policy were guided by someone who thought vaccines were a conspiracy. Oh, wait—did we just describe Facebook?
Powell’s reluctance to fully embrace the science is, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, a dereliction of duty. He’s supposed to be the environment minister, not the environment sceptic.
The LNP’s Climate Juggling Act
Powell isn’t alone in this circus. The LNP, as a party, has perfected the art of doublethink when it comes to climate policy. On the one hand, they’ve pledged to support the Labor government’s ambitious target of a 75% carbon emissions reduction by 2035. On the other hand, they want to repeal the state’s renewable energy targets and extend the life of coal plants.
It’s like promising to go on a diet while eating a triple-layer chocolate cake for breakfast. The math doesn’t add up, and neither does the policy.
Powell insists the LNP will achieve emissions reduction “responsibly” by working with the private sector. Translation: let’s outsource this mess and hope someone else figures it out. Meanwhile, Powell’s stance on extending coal plant operations is about as progressive as bringing a fax machine to a tech convention.
The Great Barrier Grief
Let’s not forget what’s at stake here. Queensland is home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and a critical natural asset. The reef is already suffering the devastating effects of climate change, with coral bleaching events becoming alarmingly frequent. Scientists warn that without drastic action, the reef’s survival is in jeopardy.
So, when Powell casually shrugs off human responsibility for climate change, he’s essentially saying, “Sorry, Nemo. You’re on your own.”
The Recycling Rebellion and Feral Cat Fiasco
As if doubling down on climate scepticism wasn’t enough, Powell recently made headlines as the only environment minister in Australia to oppose several federal environmental initiatives. Among them were a national recycling plan and a joint action plan for feral cats. Yes, you read that correctly. Powell apparently draws the line at feral cats.
The rationale? According to Powell, these measures would “hit the hip pocket” of Queenslanders. Because nothing says “responsible governance” like prioritizing short-term savings over long-term sustainability. Recycling and feral cat control are hardly controversial issues, yet Powell managed to turn them into battlegrounds for fiscal posturing.
A Minister for the 20th Century
If Andrew Powell’s leadership feels like a relic of the past, it’s because it is. His views harken back to an era when climate change could be dismissed as a fringe issue. But in 2024, that kind of denialism is as outdated as a flip phone. While other states and countries race to adopt renewable energy and tackle emissions head-on, Queensland risks being left in the dust—literally.
Powell’s tenure as environment minister is a stark reminder that political appointments matter. When a person fundamentally at odds with their portfolio’s mission holds office, progress stagnates, or worse, regresses.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Accountability
Andrew Powell’s return to the environment portfolio should alarm anyone who cares about the future of Queensland’s natural heritage. His scepticism about human-induced climate change is more than a personal quirk—it’s a dangerous stance that undermines the urgent work needed to combat the climate crisis.
Queenslanders deserve better. They deserve leaders who don’t just acknowledge the science but act on it. They deserve policies that protect the Great Barrier Reef, invest in renewable energy, and secure a livable future for generations to come. And they deserve an environment minister who doesn’t treat climate change like an optional seminar they can skip.
Powell may stand by his comments, but it’s time for Queenslanders to stand up and demand leadership that takes the environment seriously. Because if the past 12 years have taught us anything, it’s that climate inaction is a price we can’t afford to pay.
