On the 17 November, thousands of students left their classrooms in protest against the government’s inaction on climate, the first national climate strike directed at the Albanese federal government.
This event marks the 11th School Strike since the movement’s inception in 2018.
Against the backdrop of the nation preparing for a summer marked by intense heat and bushfires, the striking students have assigned a failing grade to the Albanese Labor Government for its commitment to climate leadership.
The students accuse the government of exacerbating the crisis by greenlighting new coal and gas projects. The government’s approval of four new coal mines this year, coupled with 25 additional projects awaiting consideration on the desk of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, adds to the discontent among the strikers.
Anjali Beames, aged 17 from Adelaide said:
“I have been striking from school all week to study on the steps of Parliament House, alongside other students from the South Australia Youth Climate Alliance. I am studying for my future, but I am worried that without real action on climate change my future will be bleak.”
“The continued expansion of fossil fuel projects pose a direct harm to young people today, and future generations, so across the country youth are demanding that the Labor Government shift the power away from coal and gas.”
Anjali Beames
In a bid to rally school students to participate in the protest, School Strike 4 Climate has collaborated with climate scientists to create a doctor’s certificate.
This certificate encourages students to take a “sick day” for the sake of a planet in distress.
The doctors signing the certificate are Dr David Karoly, Dr Nick Abel and Dr Leslie Hughes.
Joey Thomson, aged 16 from Phillip Island said:
“Climate doctors are backing us this strike, with a ‘sick note for a sick planet’. We have their backing because it could not be more clear that the Labor Government is failing young people and a hope for a safe climate future by approving new coal and gas projects. They are just pouring more fuel on the fire.”
Joey Thomson
The school students are demanding that the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, #ShiftThePower away from fossil fuels to help save our deteriorating planet.
Charlotte Curtis, aged 16 from Western Australia said:
“Across Western Australia and in my home town of Port Hedland, we’re already feeling the impacts of climate change, with less rain and more extreme heat waves.”
“I want my community to thrive, not suffer through more and more climate impacts. That’s why I am calling on the Government to shift the power from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy”
Charlotte Curtis, 16
School Strikes on Friday 17 November 2023
SYDNEY
12pm – rally commences at Belmore Park, before students lead a march through the city.
1pm – march arrives at the office of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s (267 Cleveland St, Redfern) where students will sit down for a ‘teach-in’, with lessons for the Minister to be given by school students, a youth rep for the Pacific Climate Warriors, and Traditional Owners opposing coal mines the Minister is currently reviewing.
MELBOURNE
1pm – rally meets at Flagstaff Gardens.
1:30pm – students lead a march through the city, via Melbourne Central, making 5 stops on the way for speeches by school students and Traditional Owners from the Torres Strait
3pm – arrive at Labor HQ to cover the front of the building with colourful messages.
ADELAIDE
8:30am – 5pm – State Parliament, front steps
Students will be staging their final day of a week-long strike from school. Throughout Friday the strikers will be set up outside Parliament studying for exams, sending messages to politicians and making protest signs.
PERTH
9am – Florence Hummerstone Reserve.
Students will gathern then march to the WA Energy Transition Conference (Perth Conventions Centre) to directly engage Labor politicians and demand no new coal and gas.
MALENY
10am – Office of Andrew Powell MP, 4/70 Maple Street Maleny
BYRON BAY
10am – Railway Park
TAREE
11am – Fotheringham Park
MURWILLUMBAH
11am – TBC
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