The sunless sky was grey, but that didn’t dampen the spirit of passionate young activists who gathered outside Parliament House this morning to demand substantial climate action from the new Labor Government.

A handful of members from the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) presented an installation of emotional and demanding letters from young people across the country to Federal Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne, today, Wednesday 3 August.

Along with the over 70 letters, the AYCC has written a climate action pledge which has been signed by Ms Payne, ACT Senator David Pocock, and Member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan. The Coalition expects further signatures in the future.

AYCC calling for Independent politicians to take action

AYCC volunteer Mirah Larkin is an 18-year-old Canberra university student studying Renewable Energy, who is vehemently dissatisfied with Labor’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target.

Originally from Gundungurra and Darug country (Blue Mountains), Ms Larkin says she witnessed with her own eyes the burning of at least 80 per cent of the Blue Mountains world heritage area in the 2020 bushfires.

“We want the government to step up, and we want the government to be more ambitious,” she says.

“We want our Independents to constantly be calling for action, because young people are looking to the politicians to represent us.”

AYCC and racial justice campaigner Grace Vegesana, 23, says she still holds onto the hope of a better world and that starts with no new oil or gas projects or expansions, and no coal, oil, or gas subsidies in the October Federal Budget.

“Like so many other young people across this country, I’ve been brought up with the impacts of climate change – whether that was soaring heatwaves, bushfires, floods most recently. We’ve been living through waves of climate impacts in our day-to-day lives,” Ms Vegesana says.

“Right behind me, we are presenting the Threads of Hope letters from young people across the country calling on the Albanese Government …”

The impactful letters relay fears of inaction, personal experiences, and the hope of young Australians for their futures. Ms Vegesana says the pledge calls on all political leaders to do everything in their power to improve Australia’s climate.

Member of the Tomorrow Movement, Tullulah Farrow, 23, stood next to the AYCC’s installation and shared their fears for a future with inadequate climate action.

“These years of my life I’m told I meant to enjoy but with constant climate disasters, no accessible and affordable housing, systemic transphobia, racism and ablism, skyrocketing cost-of-living and a government who only cares about profit… to be honest I spend most of my time feeling pretty anxious and just trying to keep my head above water,” they say.   

“Forty-three per cent is a death sentence. Labor, you can paint on the promise of a better future, but how can we believe you when you continue time and time again to support new coal, oil, and gas projects?

“That’s not a better future, that’s destroying our future. A better future looks like a climate jobs guarantee, a plan to urgently transition to a net zero economy, provide jobs with thousands of people in a renewable energy grid, build social housing, truly invest in social welfare, and ultimately support safe, loving, and sustainable communities.

Alicia Payne MP says Labor’s climate Bill is ‘ambitious’

Alicia Payne was joined by ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti and ACT Senator David Pocock, who addressed the crowd of young climate activists, saying they stand in solidarity with them.

Ms Payne heard the calls for more action from the Federal Labor Government, but says the current emissions target is “based on what we could achieve”.

“This morning we will begin the debate on Labor’s climate bill, and I am incredibly proud it is one of the first most urgent things we’ve done in this first week of sitting – it is ambitious action,” she says.

“… and I know many of you might like to see it go further. I think it’s a really important point to make that our 43 per cent target is based on what we could achieve. It’s based on really comprehensive modelling.

“It wasn’t working back from a target but looking at what was the most ambitious thing that we could achieve and sitting at target, based on that it will take us to 82 per cent renewables by 2030.”

Ms Payne says Labor’s renewables target is a “very big step” which will take extensive work, but her party is up for the challenge.

If it’s possible for Labor to reach further than the promised 43 per cent target, Ms Payne says the government will, and she understands the urgency for immediate climate action.

Ms Vassarotti told the activists that “the Greens stand in absolute solidarity with you around no new coal and gas,” along with putting an end to the subsidies.  

She spoke on the ACT Government record of becoming the first jurisdiction outside of Europe to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and the transition from coal and gas.

“This is a real template, an example, of what happens when progressive parties actually come together and work together to commit to the future for all of us, and particularly our young people,” Ms Vassarotti says.

“This is a great opportunity, and your voices and your actions will make it happen. We are working for you and with you in terms of trying to create a much better future for you and thank you for standing up, and we will stand beside you.”

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