Hi
This is extraordinary. Rattled by the Federal Court overturning approval of the Carmichael Coal Mine, the government plans to rush a bill through Parliament tomorrow to rip out the laws that allow Australians to challenge dangerous projects – like new coal mines – in court.
Our national nature protection laws were introduced by the Howard government to provide sensible checks and balances.
Yet our current Prime Minister calls the Mackay Conservation Group’s legitimate legal challenge to the Carmichael Coal Mine sabotage. And Attorney-General George Brandis calls environment groups vigilantes.
The Australian Government wants to make it easier for big polluters to pollute and damage life, and harder for Australia to become powered by clean renewable energy. We want a society powered by clean energy that protects life and empowers communities.
Thankfully, many people and communities are willing to speak up for the places and wildlife they love and depend on.
The Places You Love alliance – who I stood with at an emergency press conference this morning – represents 1.5 million Australians.
We’re working together to mobilise supporters and you have a critical role to play as a part of this huge alliance. It’s time to up the ante.
Will you email your local Member of Parliament and tell them you care about protecting our land, water and wildlife? Say you want them to protect the community’s legal right to challenge government decisions to approve massive coal projects that fuel global warming and damage life.
Tens of thousands of ACF supporters took action last week, and together, we can get the emails rolling in to Members of Parliament all across the country.
Thanks for all you do,
Geoff
Geoff Cousins
President
Australian Conservation Foundation