COMMUNITY WINS FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE-DESTROYING GAS PROJECT

Since 2018, I’ve worked with the local community to oppose AGL’s plan for a huge, polluting gas import terminal in Westernport Bay on the Mornington Peninsula. I’ve asked questions in Parliament, put pressure on Ministers, generated media interest, joined community protests and contributed to the planning review process.

In late March, we won! Under pressure, the Victorian Labor Government refused a permit for the project. This shows the power of working with the community to get real outcomes on climate change.

Ellen accepting messages from the Westernport community asking the Victorian Labor Government to reject AGL’s plans for a massive gas import ship.

But Victoria has more work to do to tackle the climate crisis. 

70% of our electricity still comes from burning coal at three old, polluting and unreliable coal-fired power stations. To make matters worse, the Victorian Labor Government has lifted the ban on gas drilling across Victoria, and continues to allow drilling in our marine waters as well.

That’s why I’m calling for a renewable energy boom to drive Victoria’s economic recovery from COVID-19, create jobs and tackle the climate crisis. We need a plan to get off coal and gas, and to transition workers and communities to a safe, clean energy future.

The Greens have been pleased to use our power in Parliament to successfully campaign for more renewable energy, grants for solar panels, big batteries, upgrades to our energy transmission, and a massive low-income household energy efficiency package. But with increasing bushfires, floods and extreme weather, Governments need to do everything in their power to get off fossil fuels and avoid the worst impacts of the climate emergency.