Chris Bowen landing a major role at the next COP meeting has failed to impress One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who called the energy minister a “waste of space”.
It came after weeks of negotiations over which country would host the next COP meeting, with Australia ceding to Turkey – but securing Mr Bowen a role as president.
Speaking to Sky News host Rowan Dean on Friday, Ms Hanson she was “pleased” the COP31 would not be hosted in Australia, but insisted voters must “throw Bowen out on his bloody ear”.
The One Nation Senator said it was “outrageous” and “absolutely ridiculous” Mr Bowen flew to South America with close to 500 representatives to spread “rubbish” on the global stage.
“We have to throw out the Labor government at the next term and put in some common sense policies,” she said.
“The Libs need to get on board, get out of the Paris Agreement as well. If we’re going to turn this around, have some clear leadership on this whole thing, and throw Bowen out in his bloody ear.
“What a waste of space that man is.”
It came after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australians deserved an energy minister who had more focus on domestic issues rather than “globetrotting” around the world.
“Australians don’t need a part-time energy minister, a minister for global UN summits, someone who’s clearly excited about the prospect of globetrotting to a variety of countries when his real job is here at home,” she told Sky News earlier on Friday.
“I’m not sure where the Prime Minister is coming from when he backs in this appointment. I’ve asked him every single day this week and I’ll continue to do that today. Prime Minister, Energy Minister, when are electricity prices going to come down?”
Liberal Party stalwart and former speaker of the house Bronwyn Bishop said Mr Bowen’s attempt to secure the plush role of COP president for negotiations was his “exit strategy” for his post-parliamentary career.
Ms Bishop said Mr Bowen would function like a “secretary” and spend most of his time abroad working alongside a Turkish COP president.
“Basically he will spend his time overseas because that’s where he wants to be when he gets out of Parliament. He’s preparing his exit strategy now,” Ms Bishop said.
As for the fire which broke out at the COP, which was said to have been caused by an electrical fault – likely a microwave – Ms Bishop said it was “emblematic” of the policies pursued by the climate change body.
COP30 organisers said 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire erupted in one of the exhibition pavilions in the Blue Zone of the venue.
“To me, it was emblematic,” Ms Bishop said.
“It just brought up how dangerous all these wires are that are being put up right across our land that start fires. All those batteries with lithium in them that can’t be put out … To me, it was emblematic,” she said.
“The very policies are acting, endangering our countryside by the way the policies they put in place … I thought for thirty or whatever the number is, to go up in flames should send us all a great warning.”