Students target fossil fuel loan

On August 22, local School Strike 4 Climate members joined a national campaign against a fossil fuel mega-loan.

The campaign aims to pressure the National Australia Bank, Australia New Zealand Bank and Westpac to scrap their joined $750 million loan to Santos, which the group says is one of Australia's most polluting fossil fuel corporations.

Over a dozen students from Bass Coast College and Newhaven College along with adult supporters peacefully rallied outside the three bank branches in Wonthaggi, but were met with locked doors when they tried to enter the buildings.

"These loans are just so depressing for me," said school striker Finn Farley (15).

"But it fills us all with hope to be able to get out on the streets and take action as a part of this National Campaign. It might seem small here in Wonthaggi , but we're joined by thousands of others around the country."

This is the second campaign the group has been a part of, after successfully stopping a $1 billion loan to Whitehaven Coal last year.