CANBERRA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The minister responsible for Australia's droughts and natural disasters has declared he accepts climate science only days after he said he was a sceptic.
David Littleproud, the minister for water resources, drought, rural finance, natural disaster and emergency management, told parliament on Thursday that he accepts the "science on manmade impact on climate change" and "always" has.
"I accept the science. I'm just a poor humble bloke with a Year 12 education but I'm prepared to accept, prepared to accept what our scientists are telling us -- it's as simple as that," he said.
His comments came only 48 hours after he told Guardian Australia in a statement he didn't know "if climate change is man-made."
More than 50 bushfires, including in rainforests that have historically been resistant to fire, have been burning across Queensland, Littleproud's home state.
Australia's bushfires usually occur during the dry season. The September blazes have been linked to a warming climate.
"I'm about practical outcomes, whether that's about having a cleaner environment or giving farmers and emergency services the right tools to adapt," Littleproud said on Tuesday.
"I am responsible for making sure we have the tools we need to adapt to a changing climate."
"I don't know if climate change is man-made."
The bushfires in Queensland are expected to intensify over the weekend due to high temperatures and strong winds.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday travelled to the areas that have been hit to inspect the damage.
