A thesis for the past was focus, when we should have been discussing the future

Candidates for the Seat of Shepparton (L-R):
 Greg Barr, Rod Higgins, Suzanna Sheed,
Dianne Teasdale, and Michael Bourke.

A thesis that would have been warmly welcomed in the mid-twentieth century prevailed in Shepparton on Wednesday night.

Candidates for tomorrow’s Victorian election for the State Seat of Shepparton, well, five of them at least as Greens candidate, Damien Stephens, was missing, all seemed oblivious to the unfolding changes that will impact on everything from that which is economic to social.

Four of the five candidates said the “believed” in climate change, but then proceeded to talk of their hopes and dreams for the Shepparton electorate as if the science warning of significant changes was irrelevant.

Independent candidate, Dianne Teasdale, has not been convinced by the rigour of climate science and so stands proudly with those who deny that our climate is changing.

Nationals’ candidate, Greg Barr; Labor’s representative, Rod Higgins; Australian Country Alliance candidate, Michael Burke; and independent, Suzanna Sheed, all declared that are “believers” in climate change.

The Committee for Shepparton organized function at Shepparton’s Harder Auditorium attracted about 150 people, most of whom it seemed, bar one questioner, had little grasp that the future, something which will be the focus of whoever win tomorrow’s State Election, will be an unavoidable reality.

And that future, of course, is going to be quite different from what was with too much rain, too little rain, an increased intensity of heatwaves and so bushfires, floods and events such as that which tor through Brisbane yesterday.

Colliding with climate change induced social and physical difficulties will be restrictions on energy that will further complicate life for all in the State seat of Shepparton; complications that we not at all address.