Nannas had a wonderful time with lots of friends from various groups when we welcomed the pollies back to Parliament House on Wednesday.
Welcome Back Pollies
A strong wind funneled up Martin Place forcing us to abandon our usual post at the pedestrian crossing. We moved around the corner opposite the newly painted parliament, but holding up our big Real Climate Action banner was still a challenge at times.
Patrick was joined by other members of Ecopella for some songs to set the scene – beautiful harmonies and great lyrics.
MC Nanna Bernie gave the pollies feedback on their work last year, and found some good work but they can do a lot better in 2024. She introduced activists who gave talks about the campaigns we have to keep building to protect NSW from the expansion of coal and gas, to save our native forests and to build the climate movement.
We heard from Nic from Lock the Gate on coal and gas, Doro from Bob Brown Foundation on the destruction in and around the forests designated for the Great Koala National Park. We were asked to sign the petition to save Pine Creek and the forest bridge. This is illustrated in Bron and Iselin’s artwork, connecting coastal koalas to Dorrigo National Park for breeding. Iselin is from Norway and is studying craftivism a la Knitting Nannas.
Saul from Save Sydney’s Koalas spoke about dodgy housing developers in southwest Sydney destroying koala habitat. Rising Tide reps talked about their events coming up, and Thea from Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) offered support from the multi-faith network committed to action on climate change.
We were pleased to be joined by the Nature Conservation Council and other organisations – thanks for coming!
All the Greens MPs crashed in for a photo opp. Instead of handing over the mic Nanna Bernie asked Sue Higginson “What can Labor do to stop new coal and gas?” Sue replied, “Just say NO” and when asked what more can we do she said. “Show up to events like this, keep showing up and never underestimate how important it is.”
Proceedings also came to a halt when a group of female ALP politicians appeared on the steps of the parliament for a photo shoot with Premier Minns. Nanna Eury was quick to rush across the street with an appropriate sign. Nanna Bernie was unusually lost for words until a No New Coal and Gas chant began.
After the speeches, planned and impromptu, the Nannas and Ecopella sang a couple more songs.
The best thing about the event was to see all the groups catching up with one another, sharing ideas and plotting for the big year ahead of us.
Nature Conservation Council Membership
Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends received a letter of welcome from Jacqui Mumford, CEO of Nature Conservation Council. We are now an NCC member group. We can subscribe to their monthly newsletter, and promote our events in it.
Events
Tuesday 13 February Climate in the Pub
7.00 – 8.15pm How Green Is Your Money? a campaign update from Vishad Sharma of Market Forces from 6.30 for a 7pm start at the Merton Hotel in Rozelle (unless otherwise advertised). Come in good time for a drink and a chat beforehand (or maybe a meal), listen to the experts, ask questions and share your views. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle.
Saturday 17 February – Lock the Gate volunteer gathering
3.30-5.30pm Rooftop, GetUp Office, 52 Reservoir St, Level 9, Surry Hills.
Kicking off 2024: Coal Watch and the campaign against Santos gas in the Pilliga. Several Nannas attending, others welcome.
Friday 15 March – Craftivism Parade
Darling Square Library, 10 minute walk from Town Hall Station. See map
11am – 12.30 – We’re showing off our best and quirkiest pieces of craftivism, and relaying the story behind each work during NSW Seniors Festival. We will have some fun activities to do too. We hope to encourage seniors, nannas or not, to join us and other groups. If you are wondering what you can do to help the climate movement, come to this event for ideas on how best to use your skills. Here’s a link to our page on Seniors Festival
Superannuation
A couple of weeks ago Nanna Anne followed the Action of the Week and checked out her health industry super fund HESTA. As it invested in climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects she changed funds and sent in a complaint.
She received a long reply including this paragraph: “Climate change is a global systemic challenge and climate-related risks exist across the whole economy meaning that divestment alone will not protect members from climate-related risks. Asset owners that simply sell shares in these companies, without first attempting to change the companies’ behaviour through engagement do not contribute to reducing real world emissions. Instead, ownership of companies exposed to transition risk enables us to push companies to take greater action.“ We’re still trying to unpack this. Investing $35m is a big ticket price to do some shareholder activism isn’t it? Is this spin and greenwashing? A serious question. We’re going to ask Market Forces.
Nanna Eury’s report on north coast visit
The Coffs Harbour Nanna loop is going well alongside other well-established groups campaigning to save koala habitat from logging. Anyone heading to or going through Coffs Harbour is invited to join their actions. Take photos and send them to us and we will post them to raise awareness.
When Nannas Chris and Susan were arrested some months ago for locking onto a digger in a forest they needed $10,000 for legal representation. Funding was going up slowly until we posted it, then money came through very quickly. There is huge public support for our forests – we need to get the word out about what’s happening to them.
Living Wonders climate cases: Back in Federal Court
The Environment Centre of Central Queensland with support from Environmental Justice Australia is back in court this week. They filed an appeal before the full bench of the Federal Court in their long-standing legal battle to ensure decisions on new coal mines and gas wells are based on sound science. They firmly believe Australia’s Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, has failed in her one job – to protect our environment from harm, which includes acting on the climate harm from new coal and gas. They are challenging the Environment Minister’s refusal to properly assess the climate impact of two huge new coal mines in NSW: Narrabri and Mount Pleasant. The court dates are 12 and 13 Feb.
Nannas are Watching
Shining a Light on Political Lobbying webinar with Independent, Monique Ryan. Nannas were appalled at what this webinar reveals and have written a submission to the Inquiry.
Shareholder Resolutions Video If you’re a shareholder in a listed company, you have a say in how it operates. Market Forces wants to make the discussion and management of climate change risk mainstream in Australia’s boardrooms by engaging with companies, and when change isn’t forthcoming, by proposing resolutions at company annual general meetings. It takes a minimum of 100 shareholders to propose shareholder resolutions. See link for details.
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