Review of Walanbaa Ngiiyani /Stronger Together, Blak Douglas’ new mural “Coalface”, meetings with MPs and Union reps, anti protest laws and human rights.
Walanbaa Ngiiyani /Stronger Together
Nannas attended the Sydney premiere of Walanbaa Ngiiyani /Stronger Together, a powerful documentary telling how School Climate Strikers, Pacific Climate Warriors and Gomeroi First Nations Custodians formed bonds during a trip to view the devastation wrought on Gomeroi country by coal and gas mining. The film was presented by Move Beyond Coal at the Dendy Cinema in Newtown on Tuesday. The film is available for community screenings – contact Move Beyond Coal info@movebeyondcoal.com
Coalface
Move Beyond Coal has unveiled a new mural by Dhungatti artist and 2022 Archibald Prize Winner, Blak Douglas. It’s titled “Coalface” and can be seen on the corner of Redfern and Pitt Streets in Redfern. The destruction of Country by fossil fuel mining is depicted in the context of First Nations spirituality and thousands of years of life with precious totems.
Meeting with Judy Hannan Independent MP for Wollondilly
Nannas Bron, Cathy, and Margaret and her friend Cita from Rewilding Sydney Koalas met with Independent MP Judy Hannan at her Wollondilly office on Monday 20 May. Judy is supportive of Nanna positions on fossil fuels and koala habitat, and she is interested in stopping pollution from waste incineration.
Nannas emailed briefing notes before the meeting and Judy had printed them out and read them before the meeting. Full marks Judy!
Judy had recently been on a tour of Japan where all the waste-to-energy facilities looked very clean. We talked about the air around them and where the ash underneath them might be going and she promised to investigate more. It’s a huge task for Independents to keep up with everything.
Judy is chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Koalas and proposed inviting us to their next meeting. A large number of MPs came to the inaugural meeting where there was a photo op but not so many have turned up since. There is no logging of native forests in her electorate.
Judy is working on the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan which she observed seems to be created in favour of developers. She is looking at the area as a whole even though the Appin area is now no longer in her electorate.
Coal is a big presence in the Wollondilly electorate and closures will have a large effect on the community. Transition support money for workers and the community should be released now and not locked up. Coal workers are saying to her that they see no future in coal. The Western Sydney Pumped Hydro Project is proposed in the area in an old industrial area, previously used for coal washing. It could employ 1500 people and be half the size of Snowy 2.0. Other small local renewable projects are being planned.
Meeting with Jenny Leong, Greens MP for Newtown
Nannas Jackie and Heather met with Greens MP Jenny Leong on 20 May. They asked –
(a) Which MPs were interested in climate change issues and
(b) What Sydney Knitting Nannas might do to keep Climate Change and Environmental issues on the agenda.
Jenny responded by giving us the following information and suggestions:
- All Greens members are interested in climate change as well as general environmental issues. But as the Greens presence has grown the party developed spokespeople in particular areas as ‘Shadows’ for the Government Ministers – like the Lib/Nats. This means the same Greens member will always be the person who responds to Penny Sharpe for example.
- On Climate Change concerns: Jenny argued that a key concern relating to climate change in the Newtown area is ensuring that housing is available and suitable for changing climate conditions. So while the focus on solar energy is excellent, it is really only those with more money who can afford this. She argues that government must subsidise solar panels and ensure that homes available to renters are powered by solar power.
- We suggested that batteries should be subsidised also and she agreed, but pointed out that there is a creeping assumption that perhaps batteries for solar panels at night aren’t going to be such a priority soon, as in future you may be able to use your car battery to recharge your solar panels. Problems with this assumption:
- You need a driveway to safely recharge your EV.
- Many people in Newtown area don’t have cars and/or cannot afford an EV
- Huge numbers of people in Newtown are renters. How to help renters to save money through use of solar panels?
- Further meetings: Jenny encouraged us to get back in touch with her around July – she suggested the Knitting Nannas and the Older Women’s Network might be able to work together around access to solar panels for female renters.
- Jenny mentioned the Greens’ NSW plan for a just transition for coal workers and communities.
Meeting with the Jan Primrose, Australian Services Union
Five Nannas met with Jan Primrose, Deputy Secretary of the ASU. Jan was very welcoming of our interest in finding out more about the unions and working with them when we can. Jan identified potential ways for Nannas to engage with the unions and she agreed to provide us with introductions. Nannas appreciate Jan’s support for the Nannas and her assistance.
Anti-protest laws and human rights
The anti-protest laws passed by the NSW parliament in 2022 are being reviewed. Submissions close on 1 June. See the Australian Democracy Network’s detailed submission guide.
There is also a submission portal for individuals, to be shared. Individual submissions will show the government that the community cares about protest rights and wants the laws repealed. The Network would like us to include any information about problematic personal experiences of protesting since the laws were enacted. The letter writing team will make a submission.
One recommendations is for a review into introducing a Human Rights Act for NSW. This would ensure the right to protest and the freedom of assembly and speech are protected.
In discussion Nannas supported this recommendation, emphasizing the importance of protecting human rights in Australia and learning from history to understand the tactics being used today.
Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world that does not have a national human rights act or charter of rights that explains what people’s basic rights are and how they can be protected. (Australian Human Rights Commission) Human Rights Acts have been passed in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
Nannas are Watching
Why is NSW Still Logging the Great Koala National Park? A new on-the-ground investigation into the logging of the promised Great Koala National Park from Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor Stephen Long. The Australia Institute
Total Environment Centre – Fighting for a Green future – Is there hope for a green future – 7-part documentary series that takes you through some of the key wins of the last 50 years by the Australian environment movement; how passionate environmentalists achieved those wins; what needs to change in society, law, economics and politics; and lessons for the future. It features interviews with outstanding Australian environmentalists, archival footage and vision of our beautiful environment.
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Nannas are Reading
Court allows NGO to sue NSW Forestry Corp for Environmental Violations 1EarthMedia
Inside the Labor gas rebellion splitting the party The Saturday Paper
Principle 6: Australia is, and will remain, a reliable trading partner for energy, including Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and low emission gases. Future Gas Strategy
Japan does not need Australian gas to keep the lights on in Tokyo Renew Economy
Six gas facts to help you cut through fossil fuel spin The Australia Institute
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