Australian High Commissioner Mike Rann opened the Australia exhibition at the Royal Academy last month with great aplomb. His next high-profile social engagement is proving more taxing. Before the Australian general election Rann and his wife Sasha Carruozzo had asked leading climate change scientist Tim Flannery, then head of the Australian Climate Change Commission (ACCC), to their residence in Hyde Park Gate to “speak about the highlights of his career to date”.
Since invitations went out, Right-winger Tony Abbott has been elected as Australia’s Prime Minister, the ACCC has been disbanded and Flannery has lost his job. Abbott has strong views on the environment and believes “climate change is crap”.
The reception for Flannery was due to be held last Thursday but guests have now been told that “due to unforeseen circumstances” it has been postponed until October 29.
Flannery has since announced that he will reconstitute the Climate Change Commission by raising money through public donations. If Rann, who once headed Greenpeace in New Zealand, uses his official residence to promote this cause he will not endear himself to Mr Abbott.
