Australian government accused of climate change cover-up and gagging scientists

Bleached coral on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

THE Australian government was accused of covering up the impact of the climate crisis and suppressing the work of scientists today as it seeks to amend the country’s environmental legislation.

A report by the Ecological Society of Australia found that scientists are routinely blocked from publishing results of their studies and warn that changes are made to their findings before their work is released.

It found that half the government scientists and nearly 40 per cent of those working in industry had been blocked from releasing or discussing their findings.

Past president of the society Don Driscoll, who authored the report, warned that some of Australia’s best scientists were being silenced and prevented from speaking to the media and policy makers.

This meant that policies on issues including climate change, bushfires and the regulation of development projects were not being informed by the best science, he said.

“In reality, these findings may be the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Driscoll said. “It reflects on a type of corruption that’s going on in the system.”

The reports co-author Euan Deakin said it showed “pretty clear evidence the democratic process, which is based on having an informed public, is being interfered with.”

The allegations come after the government was accused of gagging opposition as it rammed a controversial Bill through the lower house to outrage from the Labour Party and Greens.

It would amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and push through deregulation and the transfer of development approval powers to state and territory governments.

Debate was blocked with no government members speaking to the Bill, which has been described as an act of “economic vandalism.”

Labour’s environmental spokeswoman Terri Butler said now was the time for more scrutiny, not less.

“To just gag that debate, to prevent people from having their say, I think is a real disgrace,” she said.