For the first time, the Australian Senate has debated the scale of fossil fuel industry influence on children and young people, following a motion to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the issue.
The proposed inquiry followed Comms Declare’s From Cradle to Career investigation, which uncovered more than 260 examples of coal, oil and gas industry programs, partnerships and sponsorships reaching Australian children and young people through early childhood settings, schools, museums, sporting organisations, universities and career pathways.
While the motion did not receive enough support to establish an inquiry, the historic debate marks an important step towards greater scrutiny of fossil fuel industry involvement in childhood settings.
“It is devastating to know that this is going on for children as young as six months old. They’re being dressed up in Santos vests or Woodside vests. They’re being brainwashed about the climate crisis and being told that everyone has a responsibility. But of course they’re not being told that it is those carbon majors who are pumping out pollution and destroying their futures. They’re learning through vegemite on bread about the oil industry. They’re plucking raisins out of cake to learn about mining and the benefits of mining. It is simply unacceptable that this is going on under the watch of state and federal education ministers. It is simply unacceptable.”
Senator Steph Hodgins-May
Comms Declare will continue working with parliamentarians, educators, parents, researchers and civil society organisations to expose and address harmful corporate influence on Aussie kids and thanks the Senators who supported the proposal, particularly Senator Steph Hodgins-May, who brought the motion forward, and Senator David Pocock.
Care about fossil fuel influence on kids? Here’s some actions to take.