Antinuclear

“This is another cynical attack on renewable energy that will create more fear and anxiety in the community” said Senator Di Natale.

“After trying to dismantle the carbon price, axe the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and attacking the Renewable Energy Target, it’s no surprise that the anti-science Abbott Government has latched onto the discredited anti-wind campaign.

“It is the Prime Ministers actions, not the wind industry’s that will put people’s health at risk. His fear mongering is reckless, dangerous and irresponsible. The truth is that there has already been extensive research into this issue and no credible health body or medical journal in the world supports the idea of wind turbine syndrome.

“There is significant research to indicate that misinformation about wind farms can make people sick. Much like a placebo can lead to genuine health benefits, false claims that something is harmful can lead to real harms.

“By commissioning further unnecessary research, the Abbott Government is simply sending a signal that there could be something to worry about. Every dollar the NHMRC spends on politically-motivated research is a dollar not spent on cancer or diabetes research.

“If the Abbott Government is truly concerned with the health impacts of power generation, a Senate Inquiry found earlier this year that the mining, transportation and combustion of coal contributes to poor air quality which has a greater impact than the road toll. It’s time the Prime Minister got on with implementing those recommendations rather than pursuing his reckless and dangerous campaign against clean energy.”