The solution:

We can have a better world out the other side of this crisis — but to do that we need to lay the foundations for a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, communities are resilient to future pandemics and extreme weather events, and we reclaim our democracy from vested interests.

We can have a People’s Recovery:

1. Self-determination and Land Rights for First Nations people
2. Millions of new low carbon jobs that are secure and unionised
3. Caring for the most targeted and vulnerable people, in health, economic and climate crises
4. Cleaning up our democracy
5. Create resilient systems that can weather future crises
6. A fair and just tax system that resources our public services

Sign the People’s Recovery petition

Guide to meeting with your MP or Senator to stop public money for gas

Sign up to host or attend a meeting here

Step 1: Find your local MP/Senator and ask for a meeting

Because you are a resident of their electorate, your MP is obliged to meet with you. 

Setting up a meeting is as easy as calling their office and saying, “I am a resident of your electorate, and I would like to come meet with you to discuss the planned subsidies for gas fields and infrastructure and my concerns about its impact on climate change.” The meeting would only take approximately 15-30 minutes, and can be in person or on Zoom.

Follow this request up with an email confirming the details. They’ll likely want to know the names of the people attending, but you can tell them you’ll confirm that closer to the meeting.

You can look up your Federal MP and Senators here: https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/members 

TEMPLATE MEETING REQUEST:

To the Hon. [insert MP or Senator name],

I am a resident of [Suburb/Town], and I would like to request a meeting with you to discuss the government’s plans for a ‘gas-fired recovery’ and subsequent risks, as my elected representative.

Could you please advise of the earliest available time to meet with you in October or November to discuss these matters.

I look forward to hearing from you,

[your name and contact phone number]

Step 4: Prepare for the meeting

• • • READ UP: Have a read of this blog about why spending public money on gas is a terrible idea or have a listen to this podcast. You might like to learn about the economics of gas, the climate impacts or the tax dodging of some of the companies seeking public funds. You could lean into the influence of the gas lobby in advising this strategy, and the related integrity issues. 
      • • You want to have 3 key messages that you take into the meeting that you make sure you are confident communicating.
• • • But don’t feel like you have to be the expert on climate change or gas. Connect with your politician on a personal level and let them know your concern and anger with the government’s plans to spend billions propping up the oil and gas industry, when there are better ways to support people and the economy through this crisis. Explain why this issue matters to you personally, and what you’re doing in your community to build support.
      • You can always revert back to the experts – the Climate Council, economists, and scientists.
• Prepare an agenda for the conversation. 
• • • Stay on topic, be respectful and keep calm. Don’t let the politician change the topic and keep talking on and on. Bring the conversation back to the agreed topic – public subsidies for gas, and climate change. It’s unlikely that you and your MP will agree on all aspects of every issue, and that’s okay. Remember that it’s more important to make your concerns heard than to convince your MP.
    • If you have a group of people joining the meeting, make sure everyone gets a say. 
• Work out what you are asking your MP to do – this is the most important part of the meeting. If you can work out where your MP sits before the meeting, prepare for one of these asks:
  • • Super supportive: ask them to speak in Parliament and to their party colleagues about the issue, take a photo with us
    • Somewhat supportive: ask them to demand a cost/benefit analysis of public money for gas
    • On the fence: Meet with experts about the issue – Climate Council, The Australia Institute, IEEFA
    • Not supportive: ASK THEM WHY + then take a photo with them 
      • *we are trying to gather intel about the opposition message

Important: 350.org Australia is non-partisan charity. This means that we do not endorse any particular candidates or political parties and we never tell people who they should vote for. We want all political parties to take a strong stand on climate change. Be mindful of this in your Facebook posts or conversations with MPs.

Step 5: Take a great photo and send it to us 📸

Getting a great photo to document your meeting will help us to show just how many people across the country are taking part in this week of action. It’s important that you get it to us quickly and take a good quality image. Here are a few tips for creating the strongest possible photo:

Sending the photos to us

Please send your 3 best photos to us ASAP! It’s really important that you share the photos you have as soon as possible after they are taken on the day. This will allow us to share it widely across Australia on social media and provide it to journalists covering the story.  

Send it to your 350 support person and community@350.org.au