Why climate change is not a priority for some Queensland voters

ABC NEWS (Australia)

They have watched their homes and communities be devastated by flooding rains, a cyclone and even a tornado. But after another summer of natural disasters, climate change is not on the radar for some Queenslanders.

Transcript

00:00On this pineapple farm outside Townsville, rain is measured in metres. Even so, the

00:09recent wet season was exceptional.

00:12We've had 5,000 mil of rain since the middle of January and our annual rainfall is 1,800

00:21to 2,000.

00:22In his 50 years on Matani Farm, Tony Acasini has never experienced a flood so devastating.

00:29We've got a heap of pineapples washed away, which ended up down at the beach.

00:34Already this year, Queensland has endured catastrophic floods in the north, a tropical cyclone in

00:40the southeast, then more record breaking floods in the outback.

00:45But as voters head to the ballot box, climate change policy is not top of mind for everyone.

00:52In western Queensland, towns are still drying out.

00:56But in Cathy White's community, locals tend to steer away from the topic of climate change.

01:01I think it's a loaded question.

01:04Instead, she says hip pocket issues are the focus.

01:07I actually think the cost of living is the number one for people out here in the west.

01:14Researchers believe for voters, climate action is a luxury when times are tough, particularly

01:21in rural communities that rely on agriculture and mining to survive.

01:26Even just an indulgence that it feels like in the context of, you know, the housing crisis,

01:32the cost of living crisis.

01:34Climate change policy will influence Tammy Fogarty's vote.

01:38Tropical cyclone Alfred hammered her Gold Coast hinterland property in March.

01:43And that's after a Christmas night tornado in 2023 left her homeless.

01:48The house was totally demolished by the storm.

01:51She wishes climate action was in the spotlight, but understands why cost of living is dominating

01:57the conversation.

01:58During those weather events, I wasn't thinking about political influence.

02:02I wasn't thinking about climate change.

02:04I was just thinking about survival.

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