At the Sydney Road Street party in March 2024 we asked people to make a brief statement to our Wills Federal Labor MP Peter Khalil why they want to see urgent Climate Action. Below the personal comment we said:

“And so I ask you to urge your colleagues to:

1. Call a stop to all new coal, gas and oil projects
2. End subsidies to fossil fuel industries and place a levy on fossil fuel production and imports
3. Enhance the EPBC to include a climate trigger”

Residents were asked to put their name, address and postcode at the bottom.

74 people participated in writing a letter to their Federal MP (73 to Peter Khalil, 1 to Bill Shorten)

These are the comments, which we have kept anonymous. They are all very poignant. Some people mentioned their proffesion (doctor, nurse, teacher) Some were children. Some made additional demands to those already listed at the bottom of the letter. They are all a call for more action on climate change from Peter Khalil and the Albanese Government.

We deivered these 74 constituent letters to his office on Thursday April 4.

Dear Mr. Peter Khalil MP, I want to see urgent climate action because…

We are living in a climate emergency. It is unacceptable in this day that the Albanese Government is approving new coal mines

The world is changing

We really need to ACT NOW. We have the evidence we can prove our climate is changing PLEASE ENSURE NO NEW COAL MINES, no new fossil fuel. Can the Federal Government ACT to support the renewable industries and Electrification of transport (cars etc) through encouraging people to buy electric cars.

I want clean air, safe habitat, drinking water for everyone. I want to see investment for our shared future and the future of our children. A sustainable earth is a benefit for all. The time is now!

We are seeing rapid acceleration in climate change. The likelihood of catastrophic events – fires, floods, cyclone, rapid ice-sheet melting leading to rapid sea level rise – increase every day. Action is needed now!

Because it’s probably too late already. Politicians are too dependent on bribes. (Donations)

Climate change is exacerbating pre-existing disparities in society. I want to see a world where we can respect and live in harmony with our environment and all its inhabitants.

I grew up in a drought in central Victoria. As a young person moving to vibrant Brunswick, my passion for climate action has only grown. It’s time for an economic system that reflects community values instead of the interests of huge companies. In the long tradition of Labor governments, I implore you and the party room to establish strong institutional protections for our climate.

The earth is dying

The destruction of livable ecosystems for humans is directly related to the forms of domination – capitalism, white-supremacy, patriarchy etc – that oppress billions of people around the world.

I want to ensure that my kids have a safe and healthy environment ot learn, live and play in. Without pressures of trying to fix the mistakes of my, and past, generations.

I want health of and on earth to be the best quality possible. Don’t want to see older people dying on street due to heat waves. There are alternatives to our current power sources.

– people would die because of disasters caused by climate change – not only people, in fact, animals and other living things would suffer from climate change if we do nothing – Earth is our home, so we should take care of it – for our kids and future generation!

I want to live. I want to breathe. I want a future for my children that I can be proud of.

me and my loved ones have a safe and sure future

I want live 60 year in clean earth.

Im going to live another 30 years + so climate should be a priority.

there are more important issues than GDP maximisation.

Its my future and it matters to the indigenous people of Australia. Climate action is urgnetly needed in Aus not enough is being done

I am 11 years old and I want to live on a healthy planet

the costs of continued exploitation of fossil fuels will destroy our future possibilities of living safely + happily. I am proud to be 100% electric at home and in my rental property. It was a very worthwhile investment to abolish the gas twice. Even without my own children I do all I can to help future generations live in a safer climate.

The science is in and the way we have been ignoring it is OUT!

There is not enough action being taken. It is a climate crisis and there is no planet B!

Too much has been made for too few from our ONLY planet, and I wish for my children and new grandchild to see nature’s beauty!!

climate breakdown has begun. We are at +1.5 degrees C warming and entering the danger zone for runaway warming. Government must declare a climate emergency and take the strongest possible action to reduce emissions to zero and beyond (draw down).

The climate is getting worse and worse. It needs to be acted on now!

its getting too hot, its not normal. Places are burning, people are dying nad we’ve been asking for a climate action for ages. Its worrying.

as a student studying conservation I want to be able to look at our country’s leaders with hope and a belief that they have a long-term view to make changes for the earth not for profit.

it is clear that urgent action is required in order to avert the emergency we currently are experiencing. The changing climate is clearly the cause of current extremes in weather which will bcome worse over coming decades.

“we need the trees, please don’t chop them otherwise we won’t have oxygen” (4yr)

I’m worried about the increasement of the heat waves and the forest burnings. I’m worried about my future.

I care for the Earth

I can see the effects already, time to slow it down! People/planet before profit!

I would like for future generations to experience the wonders of the natural world before it’s in drastic decline.

our lives & livelihoods depend on immediate & significant action. Australis is highly vulnerable & so are our beautiful and unique native species. I expect Labor to take action.

I want my children to have a safe environment in which they can grow & thrive.

I am fearful for the future. I am a teacher, how can I teach students whose future is not guaranteed?

we are at a crucial time in our history for acting on climate change. Last year in NZ, we saw multiple climate change charged events that caused devastation to many communities. Lives were lost. We are seeing the effects of climate change now. We ALL must thrive if we want to survive.

Climate change is also an equity issue – heat and floods as a result of climate change disproportionately affects those most vulnerable in our community – the elderly, people with disabilities, multicultural communities!

it’s an urgent issued and we need to be more climate-focused before it’s too late (althought it already is…)

climate change impact communities around the globe. The climate action needed has to be feasible and backed by science. This involve inclusion of federal government, local communities and private enterprise. Please do review your ASRS ED so companies, especially those that need to report on it, has more understanding in how to implement these.

we are already seeing the effects of climate breakdown I feel we are handing on a ticking timebomb to our children and grandchildren. As a doctor I am also concerned about the public health effects of climate change, & in fact feel this is the greatest risk to the heatlh of our community.

as a young person living in Brunswick, I want to ensure I, and my friends and family, have a secure and safe future

The TIME of sitting and debating on climate change is over. Please take initiatives to enforce the below suggestions and make them work. Come on Mr. Khalil. Regards.

I want to be able to live when I’m older. I will vote Greens if no immediate action occurs.

we owe it to the next generations, and Australia will be further trailing rest of the world.

as a registered nurse I am very concerned about various implications that impact health of people and the planet; as severe weather events occur; as new viruses evolve. Our health service is already in crisis and with hte climate changing this cannot be improved.

it is time!!!

there are plenty more generations to come after us. Do you ever think about what we are leaving them?

I want the future generations to be able to enjoy this planet like myself and those before me have. We are lucky enough to live on this world and it would be devastating to see increased pressures, stress and destruction due to a failure to act now. The science is out there, make a change would you?

I want to grow old in a clean world and my next generations to live and thrive in a country not a burnt out wasteland.

I’m extremely concerned about future generation’s life on this planet.

I have a child and she deserves the life that you had!!! She will not have this unless you ACT NOW. Hurry up.

The polar ice caps are melting and we need to save the polar bears and penguins!!!:( 🙂

As I am in the later years of life, I want to know and be sure there is a future for my child and her children.

because as a young person, I will be affected by it for the rest of my life

We don’t have time for inaction. The window is closing

as a young person, I have already seen the impacts of climate change, and I know I will for the rest of my lifetime, and my younger brothers more so.

our forests and wildlife are being destroyed and native fauna extinction accelerated by rampant climate change. The occurrence and intensity of bushfires in our country and overseas is the direct result of global warming due to unbridled use of fossil fuels.

I want a future

-because I would like to see a freen future – our children deserve a lush planet – we need sustainable action rather than continued harm.

I would like to grow into an adult and raise children of my own without daily fears of climate destruction and irreversible changes to our way of life.

its affects Australia and the animals ability to survive. And it affects Australians

The world can’t wait. It’s that simple.

humans are having a very negative impact on the environment. We need to stop destroying the world.

it’s vital for the future and we are falling behind our commitments, nad not doing our bit compared to other countries.

future generations need somewhere habitable to live!!

Governments need to better regulate the top polluting companies that produce the majority of green house gases. Stop making the focus individuals.

being a Brunswick resident I’m concerned how little is being done, not only here but throughout Australia. There should be a tax on cars.

I want to see a future for all people regardless of class live to enjoy a safe planet

the next generation deserves the chance to engage & enjoy nature the way we do.

I want a future for Australians.

this needs absolute priority. The younger generation is getting more and more nervous. The signs are getting louder and depressingly urgent that climate action now needs absolute priority.

To Bill Shorten MP:

I care about our native flora and fauna. I care about conservation of our native forests for future generations to enjoy.

Our stall at the Sydney Road Street Party in 2024: