Climate Change No Cover for Human Rights Says Senator

Climate change is an important issue for APEC members, but human rights must also be on the agenda, says Family First leader Steve Fielding.

In a press statement released on Thursday, Family First Party Senator Steve Fielding expressed his concern that China was using climate change as a cover to avoid scrutiny of its poor human rights record.

According to Senator Fielding, China had an appalling human rights record and the Australian Government and APEC should not pass up the opportunity to pressure it to change.

"Good relations with China should not stand in the way of basic human rights," Senator Fielding said. "China is a one party state which executes more than 5000 people every year, tortures and coerces confessions from prisoners and uses forced labour…it is horrifying."

Family First supports emissions targets in principle but is calling for the government to conduct a detailed study so the full implications of particular targets are known.

Senator Fielding said emissions targets must balance the needs of the environment with the needs of families.

"It is a concern that targets will increase costs for families already struggling to make ends meet, and the government needs a plan to compensate them," he said.