Liberal MP blames renewables for child drownings

November 12, 2016
Issue 

The list of things renewable energy can be blamed for received a creative contribution from little-known Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly on November 7 when he linked renewable energy with child drownings.

His argument went like this: environmentalists promote renewable energy policies; renewable energy will drive up the cost of electricity; public swimming pools require electricity to filter and heat; higher electricity prices mean pools will have to either cut swimming lessons or charge more for them; fewer children will learn to swim; therefore, more children will drown.

Statistics show that despite the increased uptake of renewable energy in Australia, in 2015–16 the number of child drownings was lower than the national 10-year trend. But Kelly is not one to let facts get in the way of attacking renewable energy.

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