17th Nov 2014, 5:27 PM – Senate Motions — Divestment from Fossil Fuels

This motion was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon in support of Australian academics and students campaigning for disinvestment of fossil fuels.

The motion called on the Senate to:

(a) notes that:

• (i) many Australians consider universities to be important institutions that provide a significant social, cultural and economic good,
• (ii) Australian universities collectively hold investments worth billions of dollars,
• (iii) the University of Glasgow, Stanford and 12 other universities in the United States have divested from fossil fuels, and the Australian National University has divested itself from a range of social and environmentally damaging companies, including fossil fuel companies, and
• (iv) more than 120 academics and eminent alumni of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have written an open letter calling on UNSW to divest from fossil fuels;

(b) congratulates the students and staff across Australia who have led inspiring campaigns and organised referenda calling on their universities to divest from fossil fuels; and

(c) calls on all Australian universities to divest themselves from fossil fuels and prioritise the research, development and financing of renewable energy technologies to help shift Australia to a clean energy future.