Wollongong: Billionaires for Coal

The video clip below shows news coverage of a Wollongong "Billionaires for coal" action that was held in the lead-up to the recent climate rallies. It also shows TV coverage of the Wollongong rally itself.

Media release:

STAND UP FOR THE BIG POLLUTERS!
0% EMISSIONS CUTS BY 2020!

Rally Wednesday June 10, 12.30pm, Wollongong Mall

In the lead up to the national Climate Emergency Rallies for World Environment Day, a satirical group of ‘billionaire’ fossil fuel industry representatives respond to the organisers of the Wollongong rally and detail their Chaser-like plans to upstage the event.

Spokesman Christian Darby stated: ‘Global warming is a myth spread by a sinister cabal of left-wing, Marxist-Leninist, terrorist-sympathising, elitist, latte-sipping, chattering class, communist, bleeding-heart, inner-city, tree-hugging hippie intelligentsia jealous of the well-deserved success of the rich, and our national leaders have sensibly realised this.

‘The government’s measly 5% emissions reduction target, exemption of the heaviest emitters from mandatory national renewable energy quotas, over $8 billion giveaway of free pollution permits, annual $11 billion in free subsidies for the biggest polluters and 3-year, $30 billion tax cuts for the wealthiest income brackets are a triumph for ordinary, battler, dinky-die, multi-millionaire Australian polluters.

At the rally, big polluters will be congratulated for their work and handed a cheque for $9 billion, representing the handouts from the Australian government on behalf of Australian tax-payers.

‘Such fantastic results, secured by the enormous donations we make to the ALP every year, demonstrate that Australian democracy is truly responsive to its citizens’ needs.

‘Foolish greenies only value disposable things like the environment and human life, and fail to realise that you can’t be happy without money.

‘The Rudd government must summon the bravery to stand up to such depraved extremists with their selfish, hate-filled cries of “climate justice”, “planet before profits” and “a safe future for all”. The future of the nation and, indeed, the very economy itself depends on it.

‘While we are immensely pleased with government policy so far, we call on Kevin Rudd to show the wisdom, courage and foresight to go further. At the upcoming “Stand up for the Big Polluters!” rally the multi-millionaire polluters of the Illawarra will be demanding: Job cuts not green collar jobs, 0% renewable energy by 2020, Global climate justice for big polluters and that Australia take the lead in sabotaging international climate talks in Copenhagen later this year.

At our rally we will be calling on all decent-minded Australians to support us while we sell out their future today.

Stand up for the big Polluters Rally: 10 June 2009, 12:30pm, Wollongong mall amphitheatre (cnr Crown and Church Streets)

Counter-demonstration at the Climate Emergency Rally: 13 June 2009, 12 noon, Wollongong mall amphitheatre (cnr Crown and Church Streets)

Media enquiries call Christian Darby 0466 525 024 or Chris Williams 0425 329 963