Canberra Electorate Climate Reference Group

In April, Alicia Payne MP — federal ALP member for Canberra – invited Janet Salisbury to join Climate Reference Group she was setting up with representatives of climate action organisations in her electorate. 

The first meeting of the group was held in May with members representing Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Parents for Climate, People’s Assembly, Women’s Climate Congress, ACF Community Canberra, Labor Environmental Action Network, Electrify Canberra, Extinction Rebellion, Vintage Reds, and unaligned members.

Members shared their deep concerns about the unabated progress of climate change. A particular concern was the government ongoing promotion of fossil fuel projects and exports, including gas (the Future Gas strategy had just been released at the time of the meeting)

Alicia Payne arranged a meeting for the group to discuss these issues with Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

After this meeting, members of the reference group invited Janet Salisbury to take on the role of group facilitator and Janet worked with the group and Alicia Payne to develop working protocols, and also a report of the meeting with Minister Bowen.

A further meeting of the group with Alicia Payne was held in October 2024 . In relation to the groups suggestions for further multistakeholder discussion of some of the isssues raised in the meeting with  Minister Bowen,, Alicia Payne did not think this was something that would be agreed to at this stage.

The group expressed concern about the recent (and ongoing coal mine approvals) by the Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, and delays in the finalisatoin of updated environmental legislation (EPBC Act reform).  Alicia Payne is seeking a meeting for the group with Minister Plibersek. to discuss these issues.