The Vigil to End Fossil Fuels on Tuesdays outside the office of Peter Khalil MP has now been held for six months.

Every Tuesday since the beginning of winter we have met for two hours between 11am and 1pm. We have displayed signs, delivered messages via Mr Khalil’s staff, talked to local residents and been visited several times by the wonderful Melbourne Climate Choir.

We will be taking a break from the vigil until 3rd February 2026, but the campaign continues.

Our message has been consistent throughout. We are calling on the Australian government to make a clear plan to end fossil fuel production and use in Australia, including exports.

The production and use of fossil fuels (mainly coal, gas and oil) is the major cause of the increase in greenhouse gases which is causing global warming.

At all stages of production and use, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide and methane). We need to switch to renewables as rapidly as possible to ensure a safe climate for people, other species and the natural environment.

The Australian government, while setting targets to reduce emissions, has continued to allow new fossil fuel developments and the extension of existing mining and production. This must end.

Following the recent United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP30) on Climate Change, Australia joined with other countries led by Colombia in calling for a “just, orderly and equitable” transition away from fossil fuels.

Mr Khalil has agreed to meet with members of Climate Action Merri-Bek next week. We plan to find out more about what this will actually mean in practice and will provide more information as it becomes available.

At our last vigil for 2025, we also honoured our dear colleague and friend, John Englart, who died suddenly in July 2025. John was the former Convenor of Climate Action Merri-Bek, a tireless campaigner for a safe climate and environmental causes, and a founding member of the Vigil to End Fossil Fuels. We honour his memory.

First Vigil 3rd June 2025: The late John Englart with his beloved chihuahuas. Photo by Val Kay; Vigil 22 July: a big turnout in honour of John Englart with the Climate Choir. Photo by Nina Killham