“Looks a lot like lip service”: Local groups leave government consultation process in disgust following Labor govt coal approvals

Local community members concerned about climate change have left consultation processes with Labor MPs Peter Khalil, Alicia Payne, and Dr Daniel Mulino in protest following the government’s approval of three coal mines yesterday.

In the seat of Wills, which the Greens have signaled as a primary target to win from Labor in the next election, constituent Maggie Cowling from Climate Action Merribek said: “We joined a climate consultation process with Peter Khalil in good faith, but it looks a lot like lip service when you see Minister Tanya Plibersek signing off on new coal projects.”

“If the Albanese Government is really serious about tackling climate change, it needs to stop approving the main cause of it—the mining and burning of coal, oil, and gas.”

Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. 

In the Fraser electorate, Climate Action Maribyrnong were invited to have regular meetings about Australia’s progress on climate policy with MP Dr Daniel Mulino. A spokesperson from the group Angela Ashley-Chiew said:

“Yes we’ve commended the Albanese Government’s progress on the adoption of clean solutions to climate like renewable energy, but without a commitment to the fast and fair phase out of coal and gas, it’s rearranging deck chairs while the Titanic sinks.

“We really appreciate having an open and straightforward relationship with our local MP but it feels like a shot in the foot when the government steamrolls those discussions by approving coal and gas developments.”

Communities are rallying outside MP offices around the country in response to the coal mine extension approvals, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s offices in Sydney.

Solutions for Climate Australia supports community groups around the country to advocate for better climate policy. Senior campaigner Leigh Ewbank said: “The government will face significant community backlash for this decision - voters are crying out for leadership from the Albanese Government and instead they’re approving projects that will put billions of tonnes of climate pollution into our atmosphere”.

“Approving more coal and gas is straight up the wrong thing to do, but this close to the federal election, they should be worried about the influence on voters’ choices too.”

The three thermal coal mine expansions that will emit about 1.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over their proposed lifespan. This is more than three times Australia’s total annual emissions.