Today we release our latest video with a very important message for pollies as they gather for the opening of the new Commonwealth Parliament. Last week was a challenging one with the Federal Court’s rejection of the climate change case taken by Torres Strait Island elders against the commonwealth, but we were fired up to plot our next moves as parliaments resume and bankers recommit to funding the expansion of gas fracking in the Beetaloo.
A Head Banger Climate Anthem for Albo from the Nannas
In our latest video release Nannas are asking if Albo is ‘our clean energy man’. We will soon know as Federal Parliament returns this week.
“We know Albo has a soft spot for AC/DC” says Nanna Eury, who lives in Mr Albanese’s electorate of Grayndler. “They were the first gig he ever went to. So we’re hoping to reboot “adolescent Albo” and get his climate mojo working”.
Nannas want to see Minister Watt-age install a climate trigger in the new environment laws. “This handy bit of equipment would protect us from catastrophic global heating, just like a circuit-breaker protects us from electrocution” said Nanna Eury.
Climate case decision in the federal court
Leaving Court (photo from Australian Climate Case)
The federal court decision that the commonwealth does not have a duty of care to protect the Torres Strait Islanders from the horrors of climate change was distressing and disappointing. Nannas are grateful to the Elders, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul, and their legal team for pursuing this case over the past four years. We heard their determination and anger in response to the decision and their strong resolve to not give up. Judge Wigney strongly affirmed the climate science and agreed that the government needs to do a lot more but he ruled that the common law could not assign a duty of care to the commonwealth. We know that the environment laws do not offer protection either so there’s an urgent need for law reform.
There’s a clear summary of the case and where to from here in Late Night Live’s program on climate litigation by environmental lawyer Chris McGrath.
Renew Economy has an article about what Judge Wigney said.
Nannas will join the protest at Macquarie Bank AGM 9:30am Thursday 24 July
Macquarie Bank is funding the expansion of gas fracking in the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory. Macquarie’s AGM is this Thursday and shareholders will be challenging the bank’s immoral behaviour at the meeting, while Nannas will be joining the rally outside the meeting.
Let’s turn up the pressure on Macquarie and fracking companies Beetaloo Energy (formerly Empire Energy) and Tamboran Resources – come along for a colourful action and singing. Location: 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney from 9.30am.
Welcome Back to NSW Pollies – Tuesday 5 August
A note for your diary: the NSW parliament will be back on 5 August and Nannas will hold a rally to draw attention to what we want from this sitting of parliament.
LOMA global – Sydney Nannas have joined this platform
A new Sydney Knitting Nannas group has been set up on on LOMA, short for Local Matters, a platform that connects voters, politicians and community groups and shows what bills are coming up in the Federal Parliament, how MPs vote and you can vote on bills too. Go to Loma Groups to see our preliminary set up – there’s lots more to be done.
Nannas are researching – Shifting your home from gas to electricity
Some Nannas have already taken the plunge on switching their homes to all-electric, while others have switched from gas cooking to plug-in induction cooktops. We agreed to have a presentation by Sarah Albury of Electrify This podcast so we can learn more about the options available to everyone.
Meanwhile here are some resources to help you make a decision:
- Renew Economy
- Electrify This podcast
- My Efficient Electric Home Facebook page
Nannas are listening
A special Global Roaming series, AUKUS INVESTIGATED, where Hamish Macdonald and Geraldine Doogue speak to some of the leading policymakers, defense personnel, and experts to get the facts about AUKUS. (ABC listen)
Can legal action save the planet? Wins and losses in climate litigation. (ABC listen)
ABC’s CITIZEN JURY — Would you live inside a modern power station? These people will, and want to be heard. (ABC listen)
Nannas are reading
Hugh White, Hard New World – Our Post-American Future in full (Quarterly Essay)
or the edited extract (The Guardian)
Ken Henry’s not calm, he’s seething. And with good reason. (ABC)
The Safeguard Mechanism helps gas companies take the piss. (Australia Institute)
Forthcoming Events