Students march in Byron Bay as part of School Strike 4 Climate movement in response to federal investment in gas
The protests have come in response to the federal government’s announcement it would spend $600 million in taxpayer funds on a new 660-megawatt gas power plant in the Hunter Valley.
Byron Shire
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Students in Byron Bay joined a nationwide wave of protests calling for action on climate change on Friday.
The march, which traversed some of Byron’s main streets on Friday morning, was part of the School Strike 4 Climate movement.
The group joined tens of thousands of students who protested across the nation.
Police were involved in traffic control throughout the march, during which protesters chanted: “No more gas, no more oil, keep our carbon in the soil”.
The Morrison government has announced $600 million in taxpayer funds would go toward a 660-megawatt gas power plant in the Hunter Valley.
The plan has received criticism, including from Climate Council spokesman Andrew Stock, who said building the plant would increase electricity prices and discourage private sector energy investment.
Representing the School Strike 4 Climate network, 16-year-old Natasha Abhayawickrama said in a statement the protests were a response to the federal government’s decision to dedicate significant funds to the gas industry.
“The federal government that is supposed to be ensuring our general wellbeing and prosperity appears far more concerned with lining the already-bursting pockets of multinational gas companies,” she said.
“Morrison and his government could and should be protecting our climate, land, and water.
“Their money-making agenda – at the expense of vulnerable Australians’ wellbeing and prosperity – is fuelling the climate crisis, the same crisis that is devastating our environment, destroying our health, and creating very few jobs for our population.
“I am striking from school to tell the Morrison government that they must stop throwing Aussie cash at gas.
“If Morrison cares about our collective future, he will make it happen.”
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