This weekend, Rebecca Vassarotti will be the only Environment Minister in the country to attend a blockade at the world’s largest gas port in Newcastle.
“Coal and gas are the major causes of the climate crisis.
“At the moment, climate change is tearing through our ecosystems.
“You can’t put a fire out by pouring more petrol on it. If we continue to mine and burn coal, oil and gas, we’ll witness further environmental decline.
“We’ll experience further economic losses – food, insurance and health costs will go up, and we’ll pay much higher energy bills.
“We must stop new coal, oil and gas projects, ensuring we can transition our economy to zero carbon energy while maintaining a safe climate.
“It’s incumbent on every environment minister in the country to confront the devastating impact of fossil fuel gas with immediate and direct action.
“The public are demanding leaders who stand against the climate crisis, rejecting more coal and gas projects.
“They don’t want a federal environment minister who approves new coal and gas mines.
“In the ACT, the Greens are leading the country with direct action on climate change.
“We’ve already reached 100% renewable electricity and we’re set to ban all new gas connections.
“While others are supercharging climate destruction, we’re showing the country what’s possible when government invests in renewable technologies.
“As the only Greens Environment Minister in the country, I am committed to continuing to advocate for better climate action with both Labor and Liberal environment ministers.
