Page 94 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
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Government Services and Procurement) (4.53): I am pleased to contribute to today’s discussion on the importance of peaceful protest. Like Ms Le Couteur, I think that the time for climate action is now. I am proud to serve as a minister in the ACT government, a government which takes the responsibility of acting on climate change extremely seriously.
While bushfires were burning across the country and Canberra was recorded as having some of the poorest air quality in the world, recent protests called for the federal government to declare a climate emergency. I support these protesters in calling on all elected representatives to take real action on climate change.
The ACT government has shown great leadership on climate change and will continue to respond to the challenges a changing climate presents and adopt measures to protect our environment.
The importance and power of peaceful protest can be seen across history as a form of human rights protection, influencing government policy and driving positive social change. Some notable examples include the Indian independence movement, during which Gandhi pioneered nonviolent action leading to the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule and inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. There was the civil rights movement in the United States, a decades-long struggle to end legalised racial discrimination, disenfranchisement and segregation. Specifically, there were the freedom rides, which united and galvanised a movement and drew necessary public attention to the cause. There is also the example of a range of women’s rights movements, including the women’s suffrage and pro-choice movements.
Our very own Labor movement was born from the collective organisation of working people. In Australia, the union movement continues to lead to better working conditions through changes in labour and employment laws and practices. Even into the 21st century the equality campaign and the rights for LGBTI people mobilised millions of Australians to support marriage equality. The Indigenous rights and Aboriginal land rights movements remain as important as ever.
The success of these movements would not have been possible without ordinary people coming together in support of change. I hope that all those who have participated in climate strikes and protests are also able to reflect that they were on the right side of history in helping to guarantee a livable planet for future generations.
Whether the issue is big or small, individuals working together in peaceful protest can bring about significant change. Green bans, led by the Builders Labourers Federation, were a remarkable form of environmental activism where labourers refused to work on projects that were deemed environmentally or socially irresponsible. These bans protected parklands and buildings with historical significance. An important aspect of the green bans movement was the emphasis on protecting traditional working-class areas from commercial development. As an urban planner, I can see that this movement helped shape city and town planning for the better.
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