NEWS

"The climate crisis, the billionaire capture of governments, the genocide in Gaza, the logging of native forests, the destruction of our oceans. None of these will be addressed without public pressure. They need our voices. They need our resistance."

A burnt kangaroo delivered to Victoria’s Environment department office symbolised ongoing native forest destruction. The XRVic and community action was part of the lead-up to a national day-of-action coordinated by the Bob Brown Foundation.

The action sends a strong message to Santos shareholders: There is no future in oil and gas - divest now to rescue your money and stop fuelling catastrophic climate change.

"There are nearly 9 million scientists in the world, making up a tribe that is one of the most trusted groups on the planet. Imagine the noise they could make if they spoke with one voice; think of the impetus it would give climate activism."–Bill McGuire and Roger Hallam

An estimated 7,000 people came together in November at the Rising Tide People’s Blockade in the Port of Newcastle and the Canberra wave that followed in the largest civil disobedience action in Australian history. The message was TAX COAL, FUND NEW JOBS

40 XR activists brought city inbound traffic to a slow crawl, while others unfurled a giant red 5x4 metre banner above them, on the South-Eastern Freeway overpass.

XR Northern Tasmania rebels have been revisiting the ANZ - Australia's biggest overall funder of fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement.

On Sunday 13 October, Extinction Rebellion protesters entered St Patrick’s Cathedral to give an urgent message to Archbishop Commensoli, demanding he put into action the pope’s instructions on fighting the climate crisis.

WA Grandparents for Climate Action cycled from Perth to Canberra to urge parliamentarians and voters to stop the development of more Gas Fields and do all they can to phase out gas.

Activists unite to raise their voices in a nationwide call on banks to live up to their own climate promises by not lending to Santos

In June this year Blockade Australia targeted critical infrastructure in nonviolent direct actions to draw attention to the fundamental cause of climate and environmental problems in this country; our political and economic system.

XRWA Red Rebels commemorated mass turtle deaths at wetlands around Bibra Lake last month, the tragic result of cat and fox predation. Climate disruption, land clearing and (to a lesser degree) introduced plants and animals are the agents of the radical changes that are tearing through Australia's environment.

On Tuesday 25 June, Tanya Plibersek approved a Gina Rinehart-backed coal seam gas project in inland Queensland that will clear endangered koala habitat. Approving dirty gas in the middle of a climate crisis is madness!

A joint action this month against South Australia's anti-protest laws ended with a sit-down by 100 people in Adelaide's CBD. Eight rebels were removed from the road by police and issued with fines. In an earlier action, mothers, caregivers and allies gathered to demand real action on the climate crisis.

On Friday a coalition of climate groups including Extinction Rebellion and Rise Up protested outside MPs' offices around Australia in response to Labor's 'Future Gas Strategy'.

Actions so far have included a rally outside the Santos AGM, a silent walk on the International Day of Climate Action, and noisy visits to the head offices of Australia's big four banks. On Saturday May 4th (be with you) climate superheroes took on climate villains and fought for climate justice during a Cosplay for Climate action in Adelaide's CBD.

Three Extinction Rebellion activists were arrested this week after blocking several lanes at the centre of the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne. The banners draped over the truck read, "Climate breakdown has begun" and "Declare a climate emergency" UPDATED 19/3/24 Crown Prosecutors have succeeded getting sentences increased in an attempt to "prevent protesters from participating in democracy" —Violet Coco

Friday 12th April's rally in Melbourne was in support of the right to protest and to highlight the importance of dissent to democracy. Organised by XR Vic, the rally's speakers included Greens MP Tim Read as well as speakers from Free Palestine and other political movements. Climate activists Brad Homewood and Violet Coco sent messages of support from prison.

Two XR Tas rebels were arrested this week inside the Launceston ANZ Bank. Dr Scott Bell and Rev Jeff McKinnon have been conducting nonviolent, non-disruptive protests against the ANZ bank’s funding of fossil fuel projects.

XR Vic's Rebel for Life campaign saw slow marches disrupting traffic in the city centre and on St Kilda Road, theatrical events and a mass sit-in outside Flinders St Station.