Q&A: panellists spar over coal as energy debate dominates

Doctor says respiratory and cardiovascular implications of coal should be top of Australia’s energy debate and warns Adani mine threatens health of millions

The health implications of coal-fired power should be a main concern in Australia’s debate over energy generation, doctors have argued.

Speaking on the ABC’s Q&A program, the chair of Doctors for the Environment New South Wales, Dr John Van Der Kallen, asked panellists why health was not a primary consideration in the discussion over the closure of coal-fired power stations such as the Liddell plant in the Hunter Valley “when we know that the pollution from these coal-fired power stations contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular illness, as well as premature death?”

Related: Enough tiptoeing around. Let’s make this clear: coal kills people | Tim Hollo

Why is health not a consideration in closure of coal fired power stations? @MichaelSukkarMP & @emmalherd respond #QandA pic.twitter.com/594EK9ladY

Related: Alan Finkel urges Turnbull to adopt clean energy target before states act

When will the Federal Government formulate a comprehensive energy policy? @MichaelSukkarMP & @SenatorWong #QandA pic.twitter.com/2n5lDUUvDf