As the Victorian government ponders whether to open up the state to both conventional and unconventional gas drilling operations, new evidence has come to light about the failure of the gas industry to act responsibly and safely.

The Australian newspaper has published two articles regarding Origin Energy's conventional gas operations. An internal Origin audit (the Origin Energy Conventional Operations Environmental Review, Aug 2015) found that Origin management put “inadequate” resources into compliance at the “upstream” division, with not all regulatory breaches properly logged on the company’s internal system. Origin has admitted for the first time that it's gas processing plant at Lang Lang, in Victoria, has been emitting much higher volumes of toxic chemicals than allowed under its licence.

The year is at a close again and the 'festive season' is in full swing. It can be a difficult time for some to resist the allure of rampant consumerism... but FoE always has alternatives!

Drop into the Food Co-op on Smith St and pick up amazing ethical present ideas and food to suit any feast!

Too hard to think of a pressie? Why not make a donation to FoE and put it in your loved one's name? You can make online donations here.

Thanks again for your ongoing support in 2015 and have a safe and happy festive season - See you all in 2016!

The Andrews government opened the first tranch of its New Energy Jobs Fund in Blackburn today. 

The launch comes in the lead up to the release of its Renewable Energy Action Plan that will set Victorian Renewable Energy Targets for 2020 and 2025.

media release November 27, 2015

National environmental organisation Friends of the Earth Australia has welcomed the announcement by ALP leader Bill Shorten that the Party will support stronger action to reduce carbon pollution.

“On the basis of the current emissions reduction commitment from the federal government, Australia is sitting towards the back of the pack when it comes to the developed nations. The current commitment will be difficult to defend at the Paris climate negotiations” said Cam Walker from Friends of the Earth. “As a high per capita greenhouse gas emitter, Australia must do much more to tackle greenhouse pollution at home, and stop exporting greenhouse pollution overseas”.

The Perry St Festival is almost upon us! Join FoE Saturday 5th December from 10am for a memorable day of music, art and eco-friendly stalls.

Music includes an eclectic mix of local indie pop, hip hop, folksy tunes. 

UR BOY BANGZ
TINY GIANTS
SOCIAL STUDIO FASHION PARADE & PERFORMERS
HANA MARU
DRONGO
COLD HANDS WARM HEART
SETH REES
PUGWASHE
DESIREE CAMERON
JONNIE MURPHY
MINNIE AND FRIENDS

There will be lots of folks from Friends of the Earth and other friends from around the community - so drop on by and catch up with old friends and make new ones!

Interested in holding a stall? Contact [email protected]

Join the Perry St Festival on Facebook and make sure you invite ALL your friends!

Spring is in the air in Melbourne! And FoE is blossoming as you can tell by this action packed newsletter!! We have been up to so much this month - AND EVEN MORE IS COMING!

From the TPP to public transport, renewable energy and a nuclear free future - FoE Melbourne never rests! We always are welcoming new volunteers, and if you would like to get involved, try coming along to our next volunteer information session on October 22 at 6:30pm - upstairs at our Smith St headquarters. Check out this link for more information.

Don't forget that you can sign up to become an Active Friend and support all this amazing work and more!

Also, make sure you mark December 5 in your diary as the Perry St festival will be back - and we can't wait to see you there!!

Keep reading to see all the amazing work that we have been doing!

As Trade Ministers meet in Hawaii to continue the secret negotiations of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), Friends of the Earth Melbourne’s Economic Justice Collective have released a paper titled ‘Fracking the Planet: How the Trans Pacific Partnership will expand fracking in Australia and around the globe’. This paper explains the implications of the Investment State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Chapter of the TPP, and explores the ways in which foreign corporations could use this clause to override the Australian law and environmental regulations to continue fracking the planet.

MEDIA RELEASE: 7 July, 2015

National environment group Friends of the Earth say news the owner of Hazelwood is refusing to pay the $18 million cost of fighting last year's fire that occurred in their brown coal mine reinforces the need to regulate the sector.

"GDF Suez's refusal to pay an $18 million fire-fighting bill strengthens the case for regulating the coal sector to protect the public purse, community health, and our climate," said Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth campaigns coordinator.

Friends of the Earth was proud to help organise yesterday's Unions and Communities TPP Roundtable, hosted by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) National Congress 2015.

The Roundtable included doctors, nurses, farmers, unionists, academics, lawyers, environmental groups, community groups and faith groups who have been campaigning around the TPP since 2010.

Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are lands owned by Indigenous people and voluntarily managed for conservation. There are currently 60 declared IPAs, covering land three times the size of Victoria! IPAs are recognised as providing real social, cultural and environmental benefits through providing employment, protection of country and cultural connection to land. But IPA's are under threat.