John Englart

Candidate & Climate Events in Wills: Get Involved Now for Election 2025

Climate action is an important concern in Wills.

While the Cost of Living may be the top issue of concern, many citizens have highlighted repeatedly the need for strong action on climate by the Federal Government and for the Federal MP for Wills to represent that strong concern in Canberra.

This includes ending coal and gas approvals and phasing out all fossil fuel subsidies.

Wills is now seen as a marginal seat for Labor versus the Greens, and boundary changes have made it even more marginal since last election.

Community groups are organising to raise the profile of climate change action as part of the election campaign here in Wills. A number of events and meetings are being held from February until Election Day on May 3. We have chosen to also advertise candidate forums organised by other groups on issues not particularly climate focussed, understanding that climate related questions may arise with these forums.

Upcoming Events:

Merri Food Hub Fawkner

Fridays 10am-12pm Climate stall at Merri Food Hub in Fawkner. Organised by Climate Action Merribek. Signs to put up at your house are available free, plus other climate information. Last stall prior to the election is on Friday 2 May.

Prepoll opened on Tuesday 22 April at the Divisional Prepoll Centre, Brunswick Masonic Temple, 4 Davies Street, Brunswick.

Further events in Merri-bek and Wills are currently being negotiated.

Peter Khalil’s candidate meeting attendance

As Peter Khalil is Labor’s current MP for Wills we are tracking his attendance at the candidate forums so far. Candidates forums are like job interviews for being our political representative in Canberra. Attending them is important for engaging the citizens you will represent. Particularly a sitting MP standing for re-election.

  • 1. Safer World for All, 6 March (Khalil attended)
  • 2. Climate & Sustainability, 18 March (Khalil apology, sent a statement)
  • 3. AEU Broadmeadows Education Forum, 27 March (Khalil an apology as he was in Canberra, had a state MP represent him)
  • 4. Community Forum Brunswick 1 million Women, 9 April (Khalil an apology, sent a statement)
  • 5. Fawkner Community Forum, 12 April (Khalil an apology, no statement, did not respond to request for a representative attending in his place.)
  • 6. ASRC Forum on Refugees and asylum seeking, 14 April (Khalil attended)
  • 7. Justice for Palestine, 15 April (Khalil did not attend)
  • 8. Save the arts and Music forum at 3RRR, 15 April (Khalil attended)
  • 9. Education Forum 22 April (Khalil Attended)

Khalil attendance score: 4 out of 9.

Past Events

Climate Choir entertains Pre-poll voters

Climate Choir entertains early voters at Brunswick Wills Pre-poll on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Public Schools, Infrastructure and Community Engagement Forum

Tuesday 22 April, 6pm-8pm, Coburg Uniting Church Hall, 19 Victoria St, Coburg.
RSVP Humantix:
https://events.humanitix.com/public-schools-infrastructure-and-community-engagement-a-wills-candidate-forum-hosted-by-the-coburg-high-school-council

Peter Khalil MP under pressure at the education Candidates forum for Wills held in the Coburg Uniting Church hall.

Four candidates attended: Peter Khalil (Labor), Samantha Ratnam (Greens) Sue Bolton (Socialist Alliance), Owen Miller (Fusion Party). Coburg High School parents and students organised the forum which focussed on funding and resourcing of public education.

It was a great exploration of civics and politics by the students present. Most of the questions were asked by the students.

There were also questions raised on budget priorities such as finding extra funding for AUKUS compared to public education funding up to recommended Gonski level.

Samantha told the story of lack of funding for Moomba Park Primary, where the toilet is in such a poor conditions that kids are refusing to go and trying to hold in the need until they get home.

Most of the increased funding deal recently done with the state won’t be delivered until 2028/2029 year. Public education students since 2012 have been greatly underfunded.

Another question was around the cost of HECS for humanities degrees.

Final question of the night was on the future facing our children with the climate crisis and the 28 new coal and gas that Labor has approved in the last 3 years. Khalil failed to answered the question put to him, instead diverting to the advances in renewables that Labor has pushed forward.

Great snack spread by Rumi. Overheard: “This is the best food at a candidates forum”. A standard has been set.

Justice for the Palestinians and Australian Foreign Policy

Tuesday 15 April, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, Schoolhouse Studios, Coburg.
RSVP: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreePalestineMelbourne/posts/pfbid022MWugvtGyDKzHB4uiz7XTxgf4c4VAyE9zd4UtwsVai7QXMXC7HWXXmb1EqyswmMNl

Save Our Arts and the future of Music Forum

Tuesday 15 April, 6.30pm , 3RRR studios
RSVP: Via 3RRR: https://www.rrr.org.au/events/save-our-arts-forum-the-future-of-music

Refugee Policy, Climate Impacts and Asylum seeking

Amnesty International and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Forum

Monday 14 April, 6pm – 7.30pm, Schoolhouse Studios, Coburg
RSVP: https://action.asrc.org.au/wills_election_candidates_forum

There was a climate related question on climate impacts,migration and asylum seeking.

“Given climate change is driving global displacement alongside violence, and Australia is among the world’s biggest polluters with coal and gas expansion in the last three years. What will you do to address the causes of climate change like phasing out coal and gas and more renewables, and support people forced to seek asylum due to climate impacts?”

Peter Khalil, Samantha Ratnam, Sue Bolton and Owen Miller answered.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre has done a scorecard for the major parties on Refugee Policy. Read more on the Vote with Refugees campaign. See the Wills Scorecard below.

Fawkner Community candidates Forum 12 April

Held at the Fawkner Bowling Club, Saturday 12 April 3pm-5pm.

Candidates who attended included Sue Bolton from Socialist Alliance, Simon from Fusion Party, Samantha Ratnam from the Greens, and Bruce Stevens from One Nation Party. Liberals Jeff Kidney didn’t respond. Rachel Versteegan from the Libertarian Party declined. Margee Glover from Legalise Cannabis had another commitment but sent a brief statement that was read out. Not sure if Peter Khalil (Labor) formally declined, and if he provided a reason.

There were vacant seats with the names of candidates who did not attend.

There were questions asked on climate, food security and transport, and other issues.

See a Facebook report and commentary by John Englart on this candidates forum.

Forum video:

One Million Women Candidates forum

This candidates forum was in Brunswick on 9th April in a community lounge of an apartment complex. Candidates attending were Owen Miller from the Fusion Party, Samantha Ratnam from the Greens, and Jacob representing Sue Bolton for the Socialist Alliance. Labor’s Peter Khalil MP declined to attend, but sent a statement which was read out.

The venue was only small, but it was cosy and friendly. The focus was well framed by Tish and other women. Issues of climate, gender and equity, renting and housing, and transport (duplication & upgrading the Upfield Line to a 10 Minute service) all were discussed.

Candidate Forum on Climate And Sustainability

Main Information Page: Wills Candidates Forum 2025 for a safe healthy and sustainable future

Where: Coburg Uniting Church Hall, Victoria Street, Coburg
When: Tuesday 18 March 6pm – 8pm
Register at Humantix: https://events.humanitix.com/will-candidates-forum-for-a-safe-healthy-and-sustainable-future

Climate Convos in Wills April

Join the 350.org/Lock the Gate Brunswick Doorknock & Conversation Blitz on Sat April 12th at Fleming Park 🌳

We’re offering two ways to get involved, so you can choose what works best for you:
🚪Doorknocking– Walk in pairs and have meaningful one-on-one chats with Brunswick East residents right at their doorstep.
💬Street Conversations – Set up at key spots along Sydney Rd and Nicholson St to engage passersby in quick but impactful conversations.

Whether you’re experienced or new to convos, we’ll provide all the materials and support you need! And we’ll wrap up with A1 bakery lunch in the park at 12 afterwards to debrief and celebrate our awesome convo blitz 😀

Are you in for the Brunswick Convo Blitz?

March in March for the Forests 23 03 25

Here in Melbourne/Naarm there was a march and protest on Sydney Road, Coburg outside Peter Khalil’s office. This is the Melbourne Forests protest. Remember, the Albanese Government dropped the changes to National Environment Laws, including on forests.

Climate Conversation Wednesdays in Wills in March

  • 4pm – 6pm March 12 Brunswick Station
  • 7.30am-9.00am March 19 Moreland Station
  • 4pm – 6pm March 26 Coburg Station

Safer World for All Forum

Thursday 6 March, 6:00 – 8:00pm Brunswick: Safer World for All Election Forum in Wills. Organised by Action Aid and other Relief organisations

When: Thursday, 6 March⋅6:00 – 8:00pm
Where: Brunswick Baptist Church, 491 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia

Description: Safer World for All Election Forum in Wills
Principal Organiser: Action Aid
Website: https://saferworld.org.au/
Humantix RSVP: https://events.humanitix.com/safer-world-for-all-election-forum-in-wills

Australia is one of the safest, healthiest, and most generous countries in the world.
Yet, our aid contribution is only 0.68% of the Federal Budget.

And as global needs rise, Australia has given less.

Safer World for All is calling on political parties and candidates to commit to an Australian Aid Budget of 1% of the overall federal budget.

It’s a moderate increase, that would make a world of difference. 

Join Safer World for All, Save the Children Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Islamic Relief Australia, MSI Asia-Pacific & CBM Australia to hear from the Wills candidates on their commitments to Australian Aid at the next election.

It is time for Australia to step up and meet the growing needs across the world.

Climate Conversation Wednesdays in Wills

5 March – 8.00am – 9.30am Curtain Square, Rathdowne and Newry St, Carlton North

Sydney Road Street Party

Sunday 12noon – 6pm Climate Stall at Sydney Road Street Party. Organised by Climate Action Merribek, with Rising Tide, ACF, NUCA, Tomorrow Movement

The Sydney Road Street Party is on Sunday March 2, from 12 noon to 6pm.
Climate Action Merri-bek has a stall. We will be joined by other climate and environment groups (including Rising Tide and ACF). We hope to see you there!
Facebook RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/917665907105843

We will be just south of Phoenix Street (out the front of “What the Putt” on the Sydney Road side)

Multicultural climate events in Melbourne of Interest:

Two upcoming events designed for multicultural communities, by multicultural communities—ensuring the messaging is culturally and linguistically relevant. These events aim to educate, inspire, and empower our communities to be part of climate solutions, and most importantly, to encourage climate-conscious voting.

📍 Multicultural Community Forum – Glen Waverley (Chisholm)

📍 Insights into Australia’s Clean Energy Transition – presented by Gloria Chan, Director of Rewiring the Nation at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

These events will highlight the real impacts of climate change on our diverse communities and how we can take action. With a critical election ahead, these conversations are more important than ever.

Meeting for People of Faith in Wills

Monday 24 February 7pm-8.30pm Meeting for people of faith in Wills concerned on Climate, Coburg Uniting Church, Organised by Australian Religous Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/3318514378279994/

Details: (Click to open)

Public meeting for people of all faiths in Wills about the climate crisis

The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) is hosting a public meeting for people of all faiths concerned about the climate crisis who live in the federal electorate of Wills. The meeting will be about how people of various faiths can come together to make the climate one of the main issues in Wills at the upcoming election. The litmus test for being really serious about this issue is supporting the immediate phasing out of new coal and gas projects. When communities of faith speak out together it is powerful.

Monday February 24th, 7 to 8.30pm
Coburg Uniting Church
19 Victoria St, Coburg
(Facebook event here and flyer here)

350 Wills Campaign launch

Thursday 20 February 6pm-8.pm Brunswick Town Hall. Organised by 350.org RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/350-wills-election-campaign-launch-brunswick/

Details (Click to open)

While climate impacts accelerate, the government has just announced 4 massive coal mine expansions that will further drive fires, floods and heatwaves. Join the campaign launch in the seat of Wills (Brunswick Town Hall) on Thurs, 20 Feb to learn how you can help make ending coal and gas a top issue this election. There will be inspiring speakers, pizza, like minded people and a low down on our strategy.

The seat of Wills (Carlton, Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner) is a key seat this election due to its 2% margin and climate concerned community. If we can get out there and engage lots of voters, we can make ending coal and gas the true test of climate action and force greater ambition by all candidates.
Speakers include:

  • Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira (Māori campaigner and 350 director)
  • Tishiko King (local resident and Torres Strait climate advocate)
  • Rhydian Cowley (2024 Olympic medallist and local grassroots climate activist)

– Learn what resources, training and support you will get to feel confident in engaging community members and candidates on this issue
– Learn how you can get involved in shifting community perception on coal and gas
– Hear from speakers on why electoral organising is important and powerful in shifting people and candidates
– Learn about our plan to make ending coal and gas the true test of climate action
At the campaign launch you will:
While this launch is in Wills, anyone who wants to contribute to shifting the dial on what climate ambition looks like can join!

– EAT PIZZA!

ACF in Wills Campaign Launch

Saturday 15 February 2pm-4pm ACF Campaign Picnic for Nature and Climate in Wills, Robinson Reserve. Organised by Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), ACF NxNW, Climate Action Merribek. RSVP: https://www.acf.org.au/wills_campaign_launch_for_nature_and_climate

Details (Click to open)

Join us this Saturday 15 February 2-4pm at Robinson Reserve, Coburg, to launch our local Wills election campaign with Australian Conservation Foundation, 350.org, Climate Action Merri-bek and Climate for Change.

The incredible Charlie Mgee (aka Formidable Vegetable) will be playing music from 2.45pm, there’ll be a BBQ with vegan and vegetarian options and there’ll be icy-poles and a kids play space set up.

Most importantly, we’re bringing together local campaigners, volunteers and community members to find out what issues matter for climate action and nature protection this election and learn how we can all get involved! We’d love for you (and your friends and family) to be part of the crowd.

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