A heated exchange of words has broken out between LNP Senator Gerard Rennick and Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, with Rennick calling Bowen’s description of him as a “conspiracy theorist” and a “chef” “insulting”.
The row began when Mr Bowen seized the opportunity to attack Senator Rennick while answering questions from the media at the National Press Club in Canberra last Wednesday.
Mr Bowen claimed that he and other climate change advocates were regularly accused of spreading a “hoax”, specifically citing Senator Rennick’s social media.
Senator Rennick’s Twitter “Our feed is a cacophony of conspiracy theories and attacks on the motives of people, including our intelligence agencies, our health officials, our climate officials and the Bureau of Meteorology,” Bowen said.
“And that’s not okay, someone has to raise it. I call it raising it and I’m glad Mr. Dutton is raising it.”
“It is not okay to question the patriotism or effectiveness of our intelligence agencies.
“He says Covid was a conspiracy by our intelligence agencies. A serving senator of the alternative government, really?”
Senator Rennick responded Friday with a letter addressed to Mr. Bowen.
The letter that Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen sent to Senator Gerard Rennick as part of a shouting match that has broken out between the two
“In your speech you claim that it is not okay to question the effectiveness or motives of our government agencies,” Mr. Rennick wrote.
‘Imagine if government agencies didn’t have to be audited?’
Senator Rennick stated that it was his “duty to audit the performance of all government agencies.”
“If you want to debate why my posts are conspiracy theories, please name a time and place where you can debate your accusations with me,” he wrote.
In his response on Tuesday, Mr Bowen reiterated his claim that Senator Rennick’s X-feed was a “cacophony of conspiracy theories”.
“Debating is fine. Spreading discredited conspiracies is not,” Bowen said.
‘Your attack on the motives and professionalism of agencies such as the Bureau of Meteorology, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian intelligence services (which you allege could be involved in the Covid outbreak) is unreasonable.
‘Government agencies absolutely must be controlled. But not by cookbooks and conspiracy theorists spreading disinformation for their selfish political purposes.
“Your behavior has been approved by Peter Dutton. I will not condone it. Nor will I give you a bigger platform to spread your dangerous conspiracy theories.”
Mr Bowen accused Senator Rennick of hosting a “cacophony of conspiracy theories” on social media
Senator Rennick accused Mr Bowen of not having the “courage” to discuss his claims.
“This is the typical behavior of a coward who can talk about something big behind someone’s back, but not to someone’s face,” Senator Rennick wrote.
‘He fails yet again to back up his claims with specific facts. This is typical behavior of an intellectual pygmy who loves to hurl insults but is unable to rationally argue a point.
‘These insults to his fellow countrymen are evidence of Chris Bowen’s arrogance and lack of respect, to which we have become accustomed.’
Cambell Newman, former LNP Premier of Queensland and now Libertarian Party candidate, supported Senator Rennick.
“The idea that you don’t have the courage to debate him @bowenchris is the most offensive part of your letter,” Mr Newman wrote on X.
(The name-calling and personal denigration are normal.)
Senator Gerard Rennick (pictured with his wife Lauren) from Ueensland has accused Mr Bowen of being a coward by not debating him
“What you are doing to this country’s energy supply is dangerous and reckless. The fact that you will not engage with Rennick or any critic is simply unconscionable.”
Senator Rennick also received support from former NBA basketball star Andrew Bogut
“Wow, a politician who represents the people and calls people a ‘bob,’” Bogut tweeted.
“Our politicians are among the worst in the world.”
Mr Bowen and Senator Rennick have been contacted for comment.
