Current Events > Australia's prime minister pledges to ban climate boycotts

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/11/01/australias-prime-minister-pledges-outlaw-climate-boycotts-arguing-they-threaten-economy/

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison railed against environmental protesters in a lunchtime speech on Friday, warning of a new breed of radical activism that was apocalyptic in tone and pledging to outlaw boycott campaigns that he argued could hurt the countrys mining industry.

The remarks were made to an audience at the Queensland Resources Council, an organization that represents peak mining interests in the northeastern Australian state. The proposed limits on protest quickly drew condemnation from human rights groups and activists.

From ending slavery to stopping apartheid, boycott campaigns have played a critical role in achieving many social advances that we now take for granted, Hugh de Kretser, executive director of the Human Rights Law Center, said in a statement.

Morrison, an evangelical Christian and a vocal supporter of President Trump, finds himself aligned with the U.S. leader on support for the coal industry. Australia is one of the largest coal producers on earth, with the industry supplying roughly 50,000 jobs but disproportionately responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.

During his speech, Morrison said his government was looking at serious mechanisms that can successfully outlaw these indulgent and selfish practices that threaten the livelihoods of fellow Australians. He argued that the right to protest does not mean there is an unlimited license to disrupt peoples lives and disrespect your fellow Australians.

Businesses linked to climate change were being refused banking, insurance and consulting services, Morrison said, due to the demands of activists. I think some of our largest corporations should listen to and engage to their quiet shareholders, not just the noisy ones, he said.

The Australian prime ministers remarks took aim at secondary boycotts, in particular the boycotts that target firms that work with the Adani company in opening a controversial new mine in Queensland. In an interview with 3AW radio on Friday, Morrison said that secondary boycotts were targeting decent small businesses who are providing services to the mining industry.

Theyre being black-banned, and theyre being harassed, Morrison said. And this is not something that any Australian should have to put up with.

Morrison told 3AW that he was considering whether secondary boycotts for environmental reasons could be made illegal. Australia, like the United States, already has laws that ban secondary boycotts run by labor unions. Its not okay for environmental . . . well, theyre not environmental, theyre activist groups. Thats what they are, Morrison said.

Over the past year, there has been a surge in environmental demonstrations all around the world, including the Extinction Rebellion protests. Last month, millions of people in all corners of the globe took part in a youth-led protest movement to demand that governments do more to combat climate change. Just last week, there were violent clashes outside a coal conference in Melbourne.

Boycotts of businesses are one of many tactics used in the environmental movement. Prominent figures such as South Africas Archbishop Desmond Tutu are among those who have urged consumers to stop giving money to companies that contribute to climate change.

But Morrisons surprise victory in Australias general election in May shows support for anti-activist policies, too. The incumbent prime minister, dogged by controversy and poor polling numbers, managed to cling to power, in part by portraying himself as a pro-business, center-right ally of Australias coal industry.

Venal.
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Somehow this is rika furude's fault.
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You can't even protest in peace now?
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This moron also once brought coal into parliament to make a point that it isn't scary. The guy is a stooge.

Also there are claims he shat his pants in Engadine McDonalds and nobody wants to investigate this.
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Australia has no freedom of speech right? So this could pass?

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It seems like Australia's political right-wing has kind of flown under the radar with all the headlines surrounding the GOP in the US and the Conservatives in the UK.

Like they are comic book-levels of malevolence themselves.
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A boycott is, as I understand, an individual's decision to not purchase or use the products or services of companies they're in disagreement with.
What does the PM suggest to be done about that, exactly? Ciriminalising not buying stuff?
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Thompson posted...

A boycott is, as I understand, an individual's decision to not purchase or use the products or services of companies they're in disagreement with.
What does the PM suggest to be done about that, exactly? Ciriminalising not buying stuff?

IIRC some the States in the US tried to (or did?) pass laws saying that any company partaking in the BDS movement wasn't eligible for government contracts.

So stuff like that. He's not talking about individuals but rather businesses boycotting other businesses.
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Morrison, an evangelical Christian and a vocal supporter of President Trump

Of course this turd would be.
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I don't think it's really possible to ban boycotts.

These people couldn't fathom climate change even if it has been more than apparent for decades.
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almost as if free speech actually is an important amendment

Blatant viewpoint based violation of free speech against people literally trying to preserve the planet. Hard to get much more evil without going directly into murder and slavery.
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Cheater87 posted...

Australia has no freedom of speech right? So this could pass?

We have something called the Human Rights Act (passed in to law in 2004);

1- Everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference.
2- Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of borders, whether orally, in writing or in print, by way of art, or in another way chosen by him or her.

And 'Political Speech' which is protected under criminal law.
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Yeah, he's a balding little prick. Our Labor party managed to lose an election that was basically handed to them on a silver platter, and now this conservative douchebag is going to his megachurch services and making hardline comments against climate protest and whistleblowing.

I hope he steps in a ditch and sprains his ankle. He's a fuckwit, and the sooner the Liberal party eats him alive, the better. The best thing I can say is that he's not that bald fascist Peter Dutton or that pathetic egg boy Fraser Anning.
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and nsw is now on fire. Timings man
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bevan306 posted...

and nsw is now on fire. Timings man

Do you think he'd change his tune if it was his family burning to death in Australia's ever-worsening bushfires? Or would he keep sucking off his fossil fuel buddies and let the rest of the country roast to death as long as he had a slack-jawed constituent of rednecks and ignorant old people eating up every word of bullshit he says?
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It's sad how much the conservatives are copying crap directly from the States.

Now's not the time to talk about Clime Change! Why the fuck not?
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Darmik posted...

This moron also once brought coal into parliament to make a point that it isn't scary. The guy is a stooge.

Also there are claims he shat his pants in Engadine McDonalds and nobody wants to investigate this.

reminds me of when Obama sipped the flint water.

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His ambassador to the UK threatened to not cooperate with a Corbyn government
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Huge swaths of Australia are burning from wildfires right now climate change denying should be a jailable
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Mining coal to trigger the libs
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I mean this was the view from my office today. There are bushfires everywhere but now's not the time to talk about the climate I guess

https://i.imgur.com/NtXNo1R.jpg
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Australia always liked to ban things but didnt think climate activists would be one of them. Free speech really is important.
MrMallard posted...

he's not that bald fascist Peter Dutton or that pathetic egg boy Fraser Anning

lol
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