A consultation process between a network of inner west environment groups and Fraser MP Daniel Mulino has broken down due to the federal government’s recent approval of new coal mines.
Late last month, Climate Action Maribyrnong, Brimbank Sustainability and Climate Action, and Parents For Climate West Melbourne walked out on the climate consultation process following the decision by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to approve three new coal projects in NSW.
“We joined the climate consultation process with Daniel Mulino in good faith, but it looks a lot like lip service when you see Minister Tanya Plibersek signing off on new coal projects,” said Climate Action Maribyrnong’s Angela Ashley-Chiew.
“If the Albanese Government is really serious about tackling climate change, it needs to stop approving the main cause of it—the mining and burning of coal, oil, and gas.”
Ms Ashley-Chiew said the network was invited to begin a consultation process with Mr Mulino, where they’d meet to discuss the government’s climate policy, soon after Labor won office at the 2022 election.
But after taking almost two years to be established, the first meeting in the consultation process was only held in March and Ms Ms Ashley-Chiew said it quickly became apparent it was a waste of time.
“There’s just been complete inaction,“ she said.
“One of the things we were promised was that we would be more likely to listened to as a network and he (Mr Mulino) could make representations to ministers on our behalf. And we just haven’t had any evidence of that.”
In response, Mr Mulino said he was committed to listening to community views on climate change and relaying them to relevant minsters.
“I meet with many stakeholders and have passed on a wide range of views and concerns to ministers, including minister Plibersek and (minister) Bowen. Even where a stakeholder or individual has concerns with the government’s position, I try to engage genuinely,” he said.
Mr Mulino also defended the government’s environmental record, highlighting 2030 emissions reduction targets and a net zero target by 2050 being passed into law, as key achievements.
As for the future of the inner-west environment network, Ms Ashley-Chiew said they were still open to meeting with Mr Mulino, but not as part of a formal process.
She also hinted at a potential political response.
“Until our local MPs feel the heat, they’re not gonna listen.”
