Rally to stop fossil fuel funding

Forty local people rallied and marched through Wonthaggi on Tuesday June 20, calling for the banks to stop funding fossil fuels.

The rally was led by students from Newhaven College, Bass Coast College and the Village School, who spoke out at each branch about the uncertain future they face if fossil fuels are mined and burnt, continuing to pollute our heating planet.

“The Big 4 banks cannot continue allowing the expansion of the destructive fossil fuel industry,” Joey Thompson, Newhaven College student said.

“This is a direct attack on our future as young people, and so we are rising and rebelling, and we will come back, again and again, week after week, to demand an end to these climate crimes.

“We will continue to advocate for climate justice, until we are taken seriously by these big corporations like NAB and Whitehaven.”

The rally began at NAB in Wonthaggi.

Whitehaven Coal, a Queensland-based coal company, needs a loan of $4.4 billion to expand their coal operations.

A national campaign “Move Beyond Coal” is calling for NAB to stop any loans to Whitehaven Coal. An announcement about whether the loan is approved is expected any day.

Indigo Aurora, a student at Newhaven College, said it was “uplifting to fight for such a crucial movement with so many passionate people from all walks of life”.

“People have been fighting for the climate for decades, and we’re not going to stop now.”

The march continued around the streets of Wonthaggi, to ANZ and Westpac banks, with songs and chants echoing through the wintry streets.

After the rally, the protestors said a number of local people made it clear they plan to change their bank accounts to an ethical alternative.