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STUDENTS CALL OUT ‘DANGEROUS’ GAS RECOVERY

AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and National Covid-19 Commission leaders call for subsidies and support for the gas industry this week, students across the country are rallying for what is tipped to be Australia’s biggest ever action against gas next week.

School strikers have slammed today’s announcement, the latest step by the Federal Government to fast track gas projects and give special treatment to the gas industry

School striker Veronica Hester, who is 17 years old and lives in Scott Morrison’s electorate, called on the Prime Minister to invest in clean energy solutions to power Australia’s future, rather than wasting time and public funds on expensive, polluting gas projects.

"I'm a young person who lives in Scott Morrison's electorate. With this announcement about public subsidies for new gas plants, the Prime Minister is knowingly putting money into an industry that will destroy the climate and the economy,” she said.

“We're at a crossroads now - why stimulate a dead-end industry like gas, when you have a long-term industry like renewables?”

The September 25th: #FundOurFutureNotGas day of action will see over 200 actions taking place across the country. School strikers are calling for the Federal Government to spend economic stimulus money on clean energy to create thousands of jobs, rather than propping up the failing gas industry that puts our climate and economy at risk.

The students will be joined by unions representing over one million workers who have endorsed the day of action, including the United Workers Union - who have coverage of many gas workers, the Maritime Union of Australia - who represent offshore gas workers, and the Australian Nurses and Midwives Association - the biggest union in Australia.

The demands of September 25th are that no public funds are spent on gas or other damaging fossil fuels. Instead, recovery funds should be spent on:

1. Resourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions that guarantee land rights and care for country,

2. The creation of jobs that fast track solutions to the climate crisis and help communities recover,

3. Projects that transition our economy and communities to 100% renewable energy by 2030, through expanded public ownership.

Media enquiries: Fiona Ivits, 0487 003 872

More info: Visit the national day of action website: ss4c.info/sept25