Students skip school for climate protest at PM’s Kirribilli House
Thousands of angry school students descended on Kirribilli House for the School Strike 4 Climate protest, as the PM lectured them from a press conference 11km away.
Education
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As thousands of young people cut school to protest for climate action outside Kirribilli House, the Prime Minister warned students that learning comes first.
Event organisers say more than 3000 school students and their families took to Scott Morrison’s Sydney residence on Friday to protest against what they see is a lack of action on climate change.
Mr Morrison scheduled a media opportunity in Randwick at the same time protesters gathered outside his home.
“I encourage them, by all means express your views. It’s a great democracy and I have no issue with that, but the learning gets done in schools, and the learning (leads to) understanding the many other facts that I think are important to this debate,” he said.
Mr Morrison said the young protesters “might not know” about the government’s emission reduction targets.
“I would encourage them to understand that Australia, contrary to what they might be being told by people with other agendas, Australia is reducing its emissions by around 20 per cent,” he said.
The Prime Minister also told protesters to look at other countries like China or Indonesia, because Australia’s emissions targets would only make a difference if other countries followed suit.
Mr Morrison said the protesters should look at practical ways to fight climate change, such as using hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels.
“I respect their voice, I respect their opportunity to raise those voices, but I would encourage you to look at these many other issues, because if you want to see climate action undertaken then those are the practical things you need to do,” he said.
In Kirribilli, young protesters said they were sick of being patronised by leaders, and said the knew enough from the classrooms to rally against the Prime Minister’s position.
“We are learning for a future that is going to be overtaken by the climate crisis, why are we learning for a future we won’t have?” striking 16-year-old Owen Magee said.
“We want everyone to know young people are fighting for our futures and we are really concerned … that’s why we are striking today and will strike again on April 28.
“We want adults and people voting to vote for our futures this election.”
The School Strike 4 Climate held 36 rallies across Australia on Friday as part of a global movement inspired by environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
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