Local Federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, has labelled those who protested at her Tweed office last week as Greens members, and claimed it was ‘just another cheap political stunt’.
As part of national ‘Rise Up’ protests against fossil fuel impacts on climate, activists are calling on the Albanese government to stop approving new coal and gas projects.
The Rise Up protesters say the protests were nationally co-ordinated by GetUp, 350 Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Youth Climate Council (AYCC), Rising Tide and Move Beyond Coal.
They say their concerns includes ‘No more coal and gas; strong nature laws, and ending coal, oil and gas handouts’.
‘There are almost 30 new coal and gas projects that will likely be approved under our current weak nature laws. These fossil fuel projects represent up to 17 billion tonnes of emissions (or 30-years of Australia’s total annual emissions),’ explained the Rising Tide spokesperson.
‘As one of over 50 actions in every state and territory as part of the Rise Up: 12 Days of Action from 29 April – 10 May, Move Beyond Coal Northern Rivers and Gold Coast gathered to demonstrate that communities everywhere want the Labor Government to deliver the climate leadership desperately needed to protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.’
Greens challenge
Mrs Elliot’s 258 word reply to The Echo included previous criticisms of the Greens, and she added that the Greens voted with the Liberals and Nationals in 2015, ‘to change the pension asset test, which cut the pension to around 370,000 pensioners by as much as $12,000 a year, and saw many part-pensioners lose their pension all together.’
Greens candidate, Mandy Nolan, is contesting the once safe Labor seat of Richmond.
Mrs Elliot says her government ‘has taken strong action on climate change’.
‘We’ve lifted our country’s emission reduction targets by half, from 26 per cent to 43 per cent, and become one of just 33 countries to have enshrined those targets, together with net zero, in the law of the land, sending a message to renewable energy investors around the world that Australia has changed and is open and welcoming to renewable investment’.
Yet Move Beyond Coal Northern Rivers say Labor have failed to deliver on their promise to fix broken environment laws – see Toothless watchdogs and failed promises.
They say, ‘There are almost 30 new coal and gas projects that will likely be approved under our current weak nature laws. These fossil fuel projects represent up to 17 billion tonnes of emissions (or 30-years of Australia’s total annual emissions)’.
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