Pollie Watch: NSW Minister Pru Goward airs “bizarre” wind farm views

1445232870469 — NSW Assistant Minister for Health Pru Goward.

National environment group Friends of the Earth has branded NSW Assistant Health Minister Pru Goward’s comments on wind farms “bizarre.”

The organisation has called on the NSW government to make a statement correcting the record on wind farms after Ms Goward claimed vibrations from wind farms “resonate in skulls” and cause health issues that are “not psychosomatic.”

Goward’s statement on the alleged health impacts of wind farms is out-of-step with the view of public health experts. Minister Goward is not a doctor and should defer to the experts on the matter.

Yes 2 Renewabes co-ordinator Leigh Ewbank responded to Minister Goward’s comments as they could cause undue concern in the community. His response was published by the Sydney Morning Herald:

Letter by Y2R coordinator @TheRealEwbank in @smh today re @PruGoward‘s silly anti #windfarm comments #Auspol #NSWPol pic.twitter.com/k0y1Juz8KD

— Yes 2 Renewables (@Yes2Renewables) October 20, 2015

Here are some other notable comments responding to Minister Goward’s claims:

Asserting that #windfarms “resonate in the skulls” of people is with respect not a helpful or scientific comment to make @PruGoward #Auspol

— Yes 2 Renewables (@Yes2Renewables) October 19, 2015

Why is @PruGoward irresponsibly ignoring the advice of her govt’s own health department on #wind farms? http://t.co/lc6Efv1UBD #nswpol

— Aus Wind Alliance (@AusWindAll) October 19, 2015

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.@PruGoward It’s inappropriate for a Minister to speculate about #windfarm impacts. Better to speak out on the known health impacts of coal.

— Andrew Laird (@ReclaimAnglesea) October 19, 2015

For those interested, here’s the Australian Psychological Society on wind energy: http://t.co/AnwOsNFbYf @PruGoward pic.twitter.com/V7rZcftxt4

— Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) October 15, 2015

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.@usefulDesign @Yes2Renewables @PruGoward If the evidence points at anything it is mental stress put on residents by anti-wind campaigners.

— Plonkable (@JoelRDodd) October 19, 2015

@Yes2Renewables: Pru Goward wld benefit from talking wind power w/ Vic Lib counterparts, e.g. @SouthwickMP. Cleantech is the future.

— Leigh Ewbank (@TheRealEwbank) October 20, 2015

NSW Assistant Minister for Health Pru Goward has not commented since making the bizarre claims.

With the Victorian Department of Health, Australian Medical Association, among others, dismissing claims wind turbines cause health problems, the only appropriate response is for the NSW government to do the same.

Yes 2 Renewables will keep an eye out for the Baird government’s response.

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