Media Releases

Business and organisations unite in calling for the government to adopt the Climate Change Bill.

Leaders in business, technology, finance, environment and health have written a joint letter to all Members of Federal Parliament urging them to adopt the Climate Change Bill.

The letter, signed by over 100 organisations including Unilever, Atlassian, WWF and the Australian Medical Association, calls for all MPs to support the Climate Change Bill that will be presented to Parliament on Monday 9 November by Zali Steggall MP, Independent for Warringah.

The Bill would legislate Net Zero by 2050 and provide a clear bipartisan approach for addressing climate change impacts, with national risk assessment plans and an independent advisory commission to publicly advise on the best transition pathway.

The letter supports the adoption of the Climate Change Bill to assist the private and public sector in decision making for the future, whilst reassuring the Australian community that the government is committed to responsibly tackling climate change.

Zali Steggall MP said the open letter is a great testament to the concern within private and public sectors that Australia needs a unified, bipartisan approach to acting on climate change.
“Australian organisations want policy certainty and stability. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time and the warnings are coming from every sector, from private investment, banking, health, the environment and our trading partners,” she said.

“As the rest of the world is charging forward and committing to Net Zero by 2050, Australia risks being left behind,” she said. “This includes countries such as UK, Japan, South Korea, Germany and France that have all committed to Net-Zero by 2050. It is time Australia follows suit.”

Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes said Australia has a responsibility to act:

“We need to commit to a net zero carbon economy for the sake of our kids and our planet. We have the opportunity to be a pace setter on the issue and improve our economy and our planet.”

Unilever Australia and New Zealand CEO Nicky Sparshott said the Climate Change Bill is what the nation needs to move forward on climate action.

“If adopted, the Bill would set the direction for Australian businesses, give clarity to planning and create the right context for change,” she said. “If we don’t take a bipartisan approach to climate action and set targets now, we risk falling behind the rest of the world and compromising the future safety and prosperity of our country.”

Australian Medical Association President Dr Omar Khorshid said Australian citizens are waiting for our Parliament to just get on with action on climate change.

“Australian doctors are needing our Parliament to prevent further climate impacts that exacerbate poor health outcomes. This Private Members’ Bill is balanced and should be easily supported by both Government and Opposition alike,” Dr Khorshid said.

Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) CEO Peter Strong said:

“COSBOA is proud to support the Climate Change Bill. Climate change is a real risk to everyone, including small business, and most Australians accept that. We need to stop pandering to the minority of deniers and act on it. It’s about risk management and change management.”

Names of the 106 organisations in alphabetical order that support the joint letter:

COSBOA, 25eight, All the Wild Roses Pty Limited, Australian Medical Association, AMSA, Arowana, Atlassian, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Ethical, Australian Institute of landscape Architects, Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, BEAR, Benedictus Media, Biome, BioPak, BWD Strategic, Carbon Markets Institute, Citizens Climate Lobby, ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects, Clean Energy Council, Climate Health Alliance (CAHA), Climate Council, ClimateWorks Australia, Community Services.net Pty Ltd (CSnet), Compass Studio, Digital Storytellers, Doctors for the Environment Australia, Dog and Bone Consulting, DrawHistory, Edge Consulting, Electric Vehicle Council, Electrical Trade Union, Energy Efficiency Council, Fair Food Forager, Flow Hive. Forward Thinking Design, Freerange Future, Future Super, GOGO events, Good Day Girl, Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), Green Moves Aust Pty Ltd, Hatched, Huddle Insurance, Humane Society International, Humanitarian Advisory Group, Impact Investment Group, Investor Group on Climate Change, Intrepid Travel, Investa Property Group, KeepCup, Koskela Pty Ltd, Land & Water Consulting, Landserv, Marlin Communications, Marque Lawyers, Mentorloop, Micah, Mkt Communications, Nextport, Nation Partners, Ndevr Environmental, Nightingale Housing, 1 Million Women, One Stone Advisors (Asia Pacific), Onya, Oxfam, Pablo & Rusty's, Patagonia, People with Purpose, Planning Institute of Australia, Point Advisory, Portable, Presync, Quiip, Raisely, RAW Travel, Red Wagon Workplace Solutions, Reho Travel, Republic of Everyone, Responsible Investment Association Australia, Right Lane Consulting, Sample Coffee Roasters Pty Ltd, Sawmill Brewer, Seated Massage, Sendle Pty Ltd, SGS Economics and Planning, Small Giants, Smart Energy Council, Surfers for Climate Action, Talent Nation, Tearfund, Tesla, The Body Shop, The Social Deck, The Wilderness Society, Think Impact, Three Blue Ducks, UN Global Compact, Underground Communications, Unilever, Veternarians for Climate Action, Venturetec, Verdecon, Whole Kids, WWF