Teal MP Issues Apology Following Climate Change Remarks Tied to National Rugby League Player’s Death

May 1, 2025 TruthUSA

Keith Titmuss tragically passed away following a training session on a humid day when temperatures soared to 33°C.

Teal MP Sophie Scamps has issued an apology after facing backlash for allegedly suggesting that the death of National Rugby League (NRL) player Keith Titmuss was connected to climate change.

Representing Mackellar on Sydney’s northern beaches, Scamps is gearing up to defend a 3.3 percent margin in the upcoming federal election on May 3.

During an interview, Scamps expressed regret for her comments, which were criticized for insinuating a correlation between climate change and Titmuss’s demise.

“If there’s any distress or upset, that was never my intention at all,” she stated in response to questions about what she would say to Titmuss’s family during a segment on 2GB.

“Our community is heartbroken for their family, and I extend my deep apologies if she is upset.”

The controversy arose from remarks made by Scamps at a Doctors for the Environment Australia event, where she claimed that “lethal humidity” might have played a role in the rugby player’s death.

Titmuss succumbed to heat stress following a training session. Scamps remarked at the event that, “That kind of lethal humidity raises significant concerns among the medical community.”

“Lethal humidity” describes conditions where heat and humidity impede the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, and has been characterized as a “serious consequence of climate change” by the Lethal Humidity Global Council.

What Was the Cause of Death?

The coronial inquest confirmed that the death of Keith Titmuss, a player for the Manly Sea Eagles, was due to heat stroke, influenced by factors like body mass and training intensity, but not by climate change. “Lethal humidity” was not cited as a factor in his death.

Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Derek Lee’s report indicated that Titmuss “developed exertional heat stroke after completing both outdoor and indoor preseason training sessions following an extended break during the rugby league offseason.” The report did not reference lethal humidity or climate change.

Scamps Defends Her Comments

In her interview, Scamps defended her statements, clarifying that she hadn’t mentioned Titmuss specifically, emphasizing her comments were about general concerns regarding rising temperatures and humidity.

She remarked on the increasing apprehensions from medical professionals globally about the rise in both heat and humidity.

“There is widespread concern from doctors that we have not only experienced the hottest year on record last year, but also the second hottest year the year before, with the last decade containing the hottest years on record. Clearly, we are facing a warming climate,” she stated.

Election: Scamps Faces Challenge

The teal MP won the Mackellar seat from Liberal Jason Falinski during the 2022 federal election with the support of Climate 200.

She is currently facing a challenge from Liberal candidate James Brown in the federal election.

Brown, a former Australian army officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, recently launched his campaign backed by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and former Prime Minister John Howard.

He has held senior positions in various organizations, including Chief Executive Officer of the Space Industry Association of Australia and Chairman of Invictus Australia.

“James Brown chose to serve Australia, dedicating over a decade to the Army with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Solomon Islands. As president of the RSL in NSW, he led the campaign for a Royal Commission into Veteran and Defence Suicide,” Dutton wrote on Instagram.

“Now, James is poised to represent Mackellar. As a father and first-time homeowner, he understands the financial pressures families face, especially with rising costs.”

If elected, Brown pledges to invest $250 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road, $1 million for improvements to Avalon Beach, and $4.5 million to renovate the Newport Surf Lifesaving Club.

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