LOBBYING
Background
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Says she realises climate change is real and that it's important to deal with it but doesn't do much for the environment
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Believes in Numerology more than science (added an "s" to her name for good luck)
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Agreed to let 3000 trees get chopped down to build new road in Victoria to save 2 minutes of drivers' time: (warning - swear words ahead) https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/07/hey-sussan-can-we-maybe-not-destroy-3000-sacred-trees-to-save-2-minutes-drive-time/
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This is before she came into power: https://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/story/5477249/premiers-department-stands-firm-on-western-highway-protests-photos/
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The company who will do it accidentally felled 900 native trees in another operation: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/nine-hundred-giant-native-trees-felled-in-vicroads-planning-blunder-20150804-gir5jn.html
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And in yet another, underestimated the number of trees to be felled: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-17/vicroads-criticised-underestimating-tree-removal/6948926
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263 of those trees are sacred to the Djab Wurrung people: https://dwembassy.com/, https://www.change.org/p/daniel-andrews-protect-sacred-djapwurrung-birthing-trees-from-expansion-of-the-western-hwy-by-vicroads?recruited_by_id=cfb1b120-d389-11e9-b7a4-816914e53e8b&share_bandit_exp=initial-13320582-en-AU&share_bandit_var=v3
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Some of them are over 600 years old
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Opposed to school strikes: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-20/school-strike-for-climate-draws-thousands-to-australian-rallies/11531612
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Things to cover in letter
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Climate change is causing the extinction of animals and the collapse of ecosystems
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Do your job and protect the environment; support us in our fight against climate change
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Scientists say thousands of trees must be planted to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change, so cutting down trees really doesn't help: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48870920
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Wildlife impacts: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/new-report-unique-aussie-wildlife-threatened-by-climate-change/
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Coral Reef impacts: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/reef-outlook/
Background
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Has campaigned against wind farms in the past
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Hasn't really done much in general for the planet
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Is against school strikes:
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“It's good to see that we have active citizens among our kids & we always encourage that. I don't think that it should be at the expense of their education"
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From: https://www.facebook.com/InsidersABC/videos/2773809339299017/
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Says we are overshooting our Paris Targets when we can't be because OUR EMISSIONS ARE RISING
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Also we are giving massive subsidies of up to $12 billion dollars a year to the fossil fuel industry: https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/ffs/
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Things to cover in letter
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Australia is using "carry-over credits" from the Kyoto Protocol to meet our Paris Targets
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Scott Morrison refused to take greater action on climate change at the Pacific Islands Forum, bringing the Prime Minister of one country to tears (more information about that particular meeting below)
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Renewables are the cheapest form of new energy, and they are succeeding: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/ret-achievement/
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There are no technological or economic barriers to a clean energy future: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/05/australias-politics-only-barrier-to-clean-energy-system-report-finds
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Nevertheless, our government is determined to say that coal is safer: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-02-15/scientists-say-for-all-energy-sources-including-coal/8267880
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Here is why we have failed: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/17/how-australias-climate-policies-came-to-be-poisoned-by-pragmatism
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Here are the ways that scientists have said will be the most effective at reducing emissions: https://ucsusa.org/climate/solutions
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Here is an explainer of carbon taxes for the writer of the letter's benefit: https://ucsusa.org/resources/carbon-pricing-101
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A carbon tax, imposed by Julia Gillard, reduced emissions in the past before Tony Abbot scrapped it: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-17/carbon-tax-repealed-by-senate/5604246
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Your government is not adequately reducing emissions. Australia's emissions have been going up for the past 5 years, are still increasing, and predicted to continue to do so, according to the climate council: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/emissions-up-again/
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Here is some information about the climate policies of major political parties: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/climate-policies-of-major-australian-political-parties-v2.pdf
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Here is an excellent website about Australia's carbon policies, from July this year: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-31/australian-climate-change-policies-criticised-pacific-leaders/11369086 ​
Background
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Based on my research, doesn't seem to realise how important climate change is for indigenous people; these are the only two websites on which his name and the words "climate change" appeared on the same page:
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Things to cover in letter
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The land rights of indigenous Australians are being neglected
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For years now, they have been protesting: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-26/wangan-jagalingou-people-say-no-to-16-billion-carmichael-mine-q/6349252
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But the government has decided to go ahead with the Adani mine and fracking in the NT anyway, because the Adani mine has been given critical infrastructure status: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-10/adani-coal-mine-gains-critical-status-queensland-kick-start-move/7917506
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What is "critical infrastructure status"?https://www.kwm.com/en/au/knowledge/insights/australia-critical-infrastructure-centre-register-assets-20170123
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Also, climate change is having greater impacts on indigenous people living in remote communities than other Australians: https://www.nccarf.edu.au/sites/default/files/6.Indigenous-Impacts.pdf
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You must protect the land rights and land of indigenous Australians by supporting our fight for action on climate change
Background
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Has made no comment about climate change or school strikers
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As the Minister for Health it is imperative that he be fully aware of the climate emergency
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Things to cover in letter
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- Climate change impacts upon the health of many Australians - physical, psychological and emotional
- Bushfires and violent storms are threatening lives
- Toxic particles from coal plants can cause lung cancer
- Smoke from bush fires causes serious reactions for people with asthmatic conditions
- A warmer climate exacerbates disease
- Many children are suffering from enhanced mental problems due to stress and fear about the climate and not having a future
- If you want to do your job properly, then support us in our fight against climate change
- Here is some evidence from the climate council: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/killer-coal-just-how-bad-are-the-health-effects-of-coal/
- Here are many other reports, from the government itself: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/03/Inquiry-into-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-health-in-WA.aspx
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/western-australia/wa-government-feels-the-heat-over-health-department-s-750-000-climate-change-inquiry-20190923-p52u3o.html?ref=rss
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/nrha-factsheet-climate-change.pdf
(Roger Cook is the health minister for WA.)
- On the Climate Reality Project YouTube channel, Al Gore interviews the Scottish First Minister (The equivalent of our Prime Minister)
- The Australian Medical Association has declared climate change a health emergency: https://ama.com.au/media/climate-change-health-emergency
- Also here; https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2019/43/blanketed-in-smoke-contemplating-climate-change/
Background
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Was born in a mining town, and he is mentioned in this article about a girl from that town: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7492459/Year-6-student-person-Queensland-coal-seam-town-attend-climate-change-strike.html
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Has no idea if climate change is caused by humans https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/10/david-littleproud-australian-minister-disaster-climate-change-man-made
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And this too: https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2019/sep/14/david-littleprouds-flip-flop-on-climate-science-video
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Doesn't think it's relevant, anyway
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Is generally pretty useless
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Quote: "The reality is, I don't really give a rats whether it's man-made or not."
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Things to cover in letter
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Australia is in the worst drought in living memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OTJzipfP4c
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Bush fires are ravaging the country. Hundreds of buildings have already been lost, dozens of people are dead or missing and NSW was put in a state of emergency during Christmas, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9pmWNwqW2w
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And this: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-01/mallacoota-bushfire-first-hand-account/11836264
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The Townsville floods were horrendous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZmPYwMrUAM
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The coast of Australia is slowly washing away: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-31/erosion-washing-away-beaches-up-and-down-wa-coast/11359006
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In other words, if you want to mitigate natural disasters, dealing with climate change is the answer.
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97% of the scientific population agrees that climate change is being caused by humans, and of course that's relevant; it means we can stop it.
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You want to improve Rural Finance? Tackle climate change: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/compound-costs-how-climate-change-damages-australias-economy/
Background
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Says climate strikes should be held on weekends
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Also says they are ridiculous and that they should plant trees instead
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That's stupid, because it's not like they can't do both! https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6410096/farmer-to-plant-a-tree-for-every-protester-at-citys-climate-strike/?cs=14264
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https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/09/20/climate-strike-global-warming/
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Also apparently thinks that climate change is not an important problem for Australia anyway (In a subscriber-only article in The Australian)
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Things to cover in letter
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We need to phase in renewable-powered public transport in rural areas
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You need to support the construction of large-scale solar, wind and hydro infrastructure, as well as small scale, and work with local council areas to achieve this
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You need to support the installation of rooftop solar for regional families
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People in regional areas are being impacted upon by climate change in Australia the worst: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/farmers-on-frontline-of-climate-change https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/ruralreport/
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Also, it's not as if we can't plant trees and protest! Use Ecosia! https://www.ecosia.org/
Background
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Seems mainly interested in population and increasing Australian cities' liveability ratings rather than making them more environmental by installing solar panels, supporting community gardens and planting more trees and other plants in every available space. Of course those other things are important, but not once can I see him mention climate change and infrastructure for renewable energy:
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Population: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/it-s-time-to-plan-a-national-settlement-strategy-20190921-p52tlf.html
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Liveability: https://www.theceomagazine.com/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/sydney-global-liveability-index-2019/
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Things to cover in letter
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We need to phase in renewable-powered public transport in big and small cities
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You need to make sure that any spare space in big cities, for example vacant lots and rooftops, are occupied by green space
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You need to support the installation of rooftop solar for urban families
Background
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She and the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction did release a report about cutting emissions with agriculture: https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/energy-report-to-help-farmers-reduce-energy-and-costs/vi-AAHGwKC
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This report was completed in partnership with the CEFC (Clean Energy Finance Corporation) which they once tried to close, then sell: https://reneweconomy.com.au/is-coalition-trying-to-sell-the-cefc-they-could-not-close-apparently-not-68290/
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Things to cover in letter
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Traditional, industrial agriculture emits a lot of methane and CO2
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Feeding seaweed to cows reduces their methane production by 85%
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There are ways of sequestering carbon in the soil which not only take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere but also increase the fertility and water-holding capacity of the soil
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"Forest farming" has been used Africa and ____ to bring back forests while allowing farmers to make a profit
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Climate change is not only partly caused by agriculture; it makes it very difficult, through droughts and floods
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The last thing environmentalists want to do is have conflict with farmers: we want to work together, and so do the next generation of young farmers. We'll need to if we're going to have any chance of beating climate change.
Background
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Sceptical of climate change: http://www.mattcanavan.com.au/climate_change_science_is_uncertain and https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/19/matthew-canavan-says-there-is-uncertainty-around-cause-of-climate-change
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Is against school strikes: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-30/australian-students-climate-change-protest-scott-morrison/10571168
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Quote: "Walking off school and protesting, you don't learn anything from that. The best thing you learn about going to a protest is how to join the dole queue."
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Things to cover in letter
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Climate change is right here, right now, and, as Greta Thunberg said, the science has been crystal clear for more than 30 years (provide necessary facts + evidence)
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Coal, oil and gas are non-renewable and cause catastrophic climate change
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We should use renewable resources such as wind, solar and hydro
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These are now the cheapest forms of new energy, and they are succeeding: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/ret-achievement/
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There are no technological or economic barriers to a clean energy future: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/05/australias-politics-only-barrier-to-clean-energy-system-report-finds
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Since you are also the minister of NT, stop the fracking. People have been protesting for years and you are violating the land rights of Aboriginal Australians in fracking the NT
Background
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Here, in the video, from 3:30 mins, she defends Australia's climate policies:
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She was present at the Pacific Islands Forum, during which Pacific leaders cried over Climate Change but Australia got its way anyway and didn't take any decisive action: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pacific-step-up-or-stuff-up-the-complexities-behind-scott-morrison-s-week-in-tuvalu-20190817-p52i29.html (The video has really good information.)
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Also these websites:
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And this video: https://www.abc.net.au/insiders/pacific-pickle/11425326
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Key Points:
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Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable places to climate change
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The Morrison government watered down agreements so that they didn't exclude building new coal mines
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The Tuvalu Prime Minister said, "You are concerned about saving your economy; I'm concerned about saving my people."
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Drawing attention to ocean plastic instead:
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Things to cover in letter
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Climate change affects women worse than men in developing countries because they are hampered by children, are more likely to be in poverty and often can't swim because they are not taught, among other reasons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paeptDl4znA
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If you care about women, you should support us in our fight against climate change
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You are also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, meaning that your support is crucial for international negotiations
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You allowed the negotiations at the Pacific Islands Forum to conclude without a concrete climate policy from Australia - this is unacceptable
Background
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https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5908883/minister-lashes-student-climate-strikes/
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Opposed to climate strikes
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Thinks we're being used by "Green Political Activists"
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According to The Guardian:
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Australia’s education minister, Dan Tehan, has told striking students they should protest “after school”.
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“[For] other action on issues that they think is important, they should do after school or on weekends,” he just told media in Melbourne. “No one is going to stop them from doing that. What our message is loud and clear today to all students, ‘be in school, join the National Action Day Against Bullying’.”
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A reporter asks: “Can’t they do both? Is one afternoon off really going to harm their education?”
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Tehan: “Students leaving school during school hours to protest is not something that we should encourage. Especially when they are being encouraged to do so by green political activists. They should be encouraging students to stay at school.”
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(I got this from: <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2019/mar/15/climate-strikes-2019-live-latest-climate-change-global-warming?page=with:block-5c8ae224e4b0cf92e5a57598>)
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Things to cover in letter
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Explain why we are striking
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Please support us; understand that we feel as if we have no choice
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We are not "being encouraged to do so [go on strikes] by green political activists". I joined because I was inspired by Greta Thunberg, who certainly had no support when she started the strikes.
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Change is coming, whether you like it or not.