Here is our June update on grassroots climate action on federal issues.

Making polluters pay for climate change in local communities

The campaign to make polluters pay for the cost of climate change damage to local communities is gathering strength. Community groups are working with 85 local councils across Australia. Five councils have adopted the motion in full and many are considering it.

If you are a resident of Merri-Bek, and you support making polluters pay, please sign the local petition here and forward it to friends and neighbours.

Merri-Bek council is in favour of the principle but has not yet fully adopted the motion so we need strong support for this petition.

For those wanting to learn more about the campaign in general, there is a webinar on 23 July.

Campaigns on fossil fuels and support available

Grassroots climate groups in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia continue to advocate for a planned phase-out of fossil fuels through actions outside MPs offices, meetings with MPs, and calling for a tax on gas exports (for example through ‘Tax Gas Not Beer’ campaign).

Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) is providing support and training for grassroots groups  wanting to campaign on gas taxes or meet with MPs during the winter break.

Climate Action Merri-Bek will be focusing on the Victorian election until November, however we encourage other groups to contact CANA if interested. We will continue to provide updates on these campaigns when we can.

Grassroots groups observe that MPs seem scared of the fossil fuel lobby

Some groups have found that Labor MPs seem openly scared of possible action by the fossil fuel lobby.  

It’s interesting to see that analysis by Comms Declare (reported in Crikey) showed advertising by fossil fuel corporations went up when a gas tax was proposed, and a Comms Declare representative said this is a common response when the fossil fuel industry feels threatened by possible government action.

There are widespread calls by independent MPs and the Greens for more openness about political lobbying. Australians have a right to know if policy is being shaped by advertising and threats from the fossil fuel lobby.

Other news and opportunities to support climate action

• Rewiring Australia is setting up ‘Electric Saul’ – a tool to help people electrify. They are looking for people to help test it – apply here if interested.
• Lighter Footprints recently held a seminar with Dr Monique Ryan MP and Tim Buckley of Climate Energy Finance on “Securing Energy Independence: Australia’s response to an uncertain world” – you can view the seminar here
• 350.org recently held a community forum in Brunswick on ‘Big Tech, AI, Data Centres & Jobs’. Reports suggest widespread concern about the impact of data centres including their impact on climate through energy demand, fossil fuel use and water use.
• In South Australia, climate groups are concerned that there are moves to wind back the moratorium on fracking in the southeast of the state and are organising to address this.
• In WA, the legal action against the extension of Woodside gas processing at the Northwest shelf has been joined by the UN Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment (as reported in a post-script to our blogpost on 18 June). The case will be heard later this year and may have implications for our legal rights to government action on fossil fuels.
• Also in WA, Go Beyond Gas is campaigning to stop fracking in the Kimberley.
• Action continues on the proposed extension of Hail Creek mine in Queensland, threatening koala habitat. Find out more from XR including action in Melbourne
• The Safeguard Mechanism, Australia’s main method for controlling the emissions of major emitters, is due for review this year. It is widely recognised to be too weak. If interested in making a submission check here for updates.

As noted, Climate Action Merri-Bek will be focusing mainly on the Victorian state election until November, however you can check developments in most actions here through the organisations and links provided.