[klyrs]

> Why is the US (and maybe Australia?) different?

I can't speak to Australia, but in the US I see two significant factors. The first is the news and the second is the evangelical christian movement. IMO, both are rooted in perverse interpretations of the first amendment.

My understanding is that Reagan struck down laws regarding truth in journalism, which really set the stage. Fox News is particularly egregious in climate denial (as well as fearmongering about Muslim folks, immigrants, etc.), and for many, that's just the start of a slippery slope. Smaller, especially local radio, talk-shows around the country are even more egregious. They use fear-based arguments to significant effect, and because politicians use these arguments, they're "political opinions."

The evangelical movement (which gets a lot of play on Fox and other platforms) has positioned itself as anti-science: anti-climate, anti-vax, anti-evolution, anti-lgbt. So these opinions are elevated beyond "political opinions," they're sitting on the lofty perch of "religious beliefs" and challenging them is an assault on religious liberty.