Abbott on the spot after Nazi gibeJune 23, 2011 - 10:36AM
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott should not attend a conference alongside Lord Monckton after the British climate change denier claimed Ross Garnaut was a Nazi, Labor MPs say.
In a speech in the US, Lord Christopher Monckton said Professor Garnaut, the government's chief climate change adviser, held fascist views and was someone who expected people to "accept authority without question".
"Heil Hitler, on we go," said Lord Monckton when discussing Professor Garnaut.
Lord Monckton is scheduled to speak at the Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) conference in Perth next week.
Mr Abbott and federal independent MP Rob Oakeshott are expected to attend the event.
Labor MP Deborah O'Neill said it was "disgrace" that the image of a swastika was used in Lord Monckton's recent speech and called on Mr Abbott to withdraw from the conference.
"Frankly, I think unless Lord Monckton actually is removed from the program Tony Abbott should refuse to be on the same platform with the same person," she said today.
Liberal MP and climate-change supporter Malcolm Turnbull said Lord Monckton was a "sensationalist" and he didn't think Professor Garnaut would lose any sleep over the matter.
"He is increasingly a rather sick, vaudeville character who makes more and more outlandish charges in order to get attention for himself," Mr Turnbull said.
Fellow Liberal MP Jamie Briggs echoed these comments.
"I think in public debate everyone's entitled to have a view but that does not extend to personal abuse and it certainly doesn't extend to using offensive symbols from the past," Mr Briggs said.
When asked whether Mr Oakeshott should also withdraw from the conference, Labor backbencher Michelle Rowland said he wasn't "putting himself up to be the alternative prime minister" like Mr Abbott.
AAP