Several hundred climate activists rallied outside Kirribilli House, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s residence, on May 8, as part of environment groups’ 12-day Rise Up campaign.
The “No more coal or gas” campaign was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), Move Beyond Coal, 350.org Australia, GetUp and the Australian Conservation.
Rallies and other actions are being organised across the country to demand the federal Labor government take real action to tackle climate change, including outside environment minister Tanya Plibersek’s office on May 3.
The protest outside Kirribilli House featured a DJ booth, hosted by stand-ins for PM Albanese and the CEOs of mining companies Santos and Whitehaven. It was designed to send a message to the government ahead of the federal budget on May 14.
Protesters did the same in 2022 when Coalition PM Scott Morrison also ignored the climate emergency.
AYCC is demanding Labor stop approving new fossil fuel projects, slash funding for existing projects and introduce climate amendments to the nation’s environment laws.
“The last prime minister got plenty of visits at Kirribilli. And our message for you Albo: You’re not Scotty, but you won’t get off scott free! Like the flood waters and the flames, we rise up,” said the AYCC.
While communities face devastating climate impacts, from devastating cyclones and floods to sweltering heat waves,
“fossil fuel companies are fuelling the flames” pushing ahead with risky coal and gas, said the AYCC.
“Despite being elected in a historic wave of support for climate action, the Albanese government has fundamentally failed in the number one test of climate leadership: saying NO to more coal and gas projects.”
AYCC is urging Labor to fix the environment laws to “consider the impacts of climate change” and stop subsidising coal and gas projects.
GetUp also condemned Labor for handing out “billions in public money for fossil fuel corporations”.
[For more information on the Rise Up campaign visit the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.]
rise_up_4_rigmor_berg.jpg
rise_up_rigmor_berg.jpg
rise_up_2_rigmor_berg.jpg
rise_up_3_rigmor_berg.jpg
