Booker prize winner 'ashamed' to be Australian over 'foolish' environment policies

Man Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan has said in an interview that he is “ashamed to be Australian” because of the current Coalition Government’s environmental policies.

Richard Flanagan pictured after winning the 2014 Man Booker Prize, for his book The Narrow Road to the Deep North. (AAP)

The Tasmanian author, who took out the prestigious literary prize for his novel “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”, said he was saddened by the government’s environmental policies.

Speaking two days after Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s declaration that “coal is good for humanity”, Mr Flanagan told the BBC the unnecessary politics was dividing Australians.

“Australia has the most extraordinary environment and I don’t understand why our government seems committed to destroying what we have that’s unique in the world,” he said.

“To be frank, I’m ashamed to be Australian when you bring this up.”

Mr Flanagan said the government was being “foolish” in repealing the carbon tax and promoting coal as a future resource.