Australia Experiences Warmest 12-Month Period Since Record-Keeping Began
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From September 2012 to August 2013, El Nino conditions superimposed on the long-term pattern of global warming saw the average temperature, day and night, across the continent, hit 22.9 degrees, compared with a long-term average of 21.8. The previous 12-month record was in the year to January 2006, when average temperatures were 1.08 degrees higher than before.
Australia's record warming comes towards the end of an election campaign from which global warming has gone missing. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott never mentions it, although in every speech he promises to repeal the carbon price intended as Australia's contribution to the fight against it.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who once called climate change the greatest moral issue of our time, rarely mentions it on the campaign trail, leaving the Greens as the only party to raise it as an election issue.
The bureau says that so far in 2013 Australians have already experienced the hottest day, month and season. Now the year of records has culminated in the hottest 12-month period. Melbourne and Sydney joined Canberra and Brisbane with winters near or above previous records for warmth – and rain.
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http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/warm-winter-caps-nations-hottest-year-20130901-2syzt.html