A speech, a campaign film and the now famous Pork Barrel were a part of Independent candidate Huw Kingston's recent campaign launch for the seat of Hume.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Kingston told the crowd of more than 150 that taking action to mitigate climate change may be costly "but it is going to cost a hell of a lot more if we do nothing".
Mr Kingston will be up against the energy minister Angus Taylor in the federal election to be held on May 18.
The federal candidate said it was the "climate emergency and lack of government response" that had prompted him to stand.
"The science is in, the examples are everywhere. It is irresponsible to deny it," Mr Kingston told the crowd.
"This summer we saw the rainforests of Far North Queensland burn - one of the accepted definitions of "rainforest" is that it doesn't burn.
"We have now reached one degree of warming. Imagine what it will be like with two degrees of warming, or three. Or four?"
Mr Kingston said he believed a renewables target of 60 per cent by 2035 was achievable, and that the Hume electorate was well-positioned to benefit from a growing renewables industry.
"We're close to Sydney and Canberra so transmission losses are relatively small. Renewables are already one of the largest contributors to the Hume economy," he said.
He will also be pushing for the Very Fast Train link from Sydney to Canberra, with a first stop in Goulburn.
On human rights, Mr Kingston told the audience that we should deal respectfully with First Nations people and have a meaningful discussion of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the heart.
He also said he would like to see Australia honouring its international obligations by dealing humanely with refugees and asylum seekers.
Read also: What's on: Magazine launch and conversation
