- Health professionals will protest outside Sofitel Hotel during HESTA's Excellence Awards on August 7 at 5:30pm, calling for fossil fuel divestment
- The demonstration, organised by Healthy Futures, targets HESTA's investments in Woodside and Santos
- Healthcare workers argue that the climate crisis is a health crisis, linking fossil fuels to extreme weather events
- Protesters aim to highlight the contradiction between HESTA's health sector focus and its fossil fuel investments
- Demonstrators will include healthcare workers in scrubs holding banners, with a choir also participating
Health professionals and community members will gather outside the Sofitel Hotel on Collins St at 5.30pm on Thursday, August 7, to urge HESTA to divest from fossil fuel companies Woodside and Santos. The demonstration will take place as attendees arrive for HESTA’s annual Excellence Awards.
The protest, organised by the health and climate advocacy group Healthy Futures, aims to highlight what they describe as a "climate blind spot" in HESTA's investment portfolio.
"HESTA is celebrating excellence in health and community care, yet their investments in fossil gas companies like Santos and Woodside are endangering people’s health," said Bronwyn McDonald, a representative from Healthy Futures.
"The climate crisis is a health crisis. As health professionals, we cannot stand by while our retirement funds are used to finance projects that increase the risk of bushfires, heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather events.”
"We are here to politely but firmly ask HESTA to 'walk the talk' on health and climate leadership," said Dr Felicity Heale, a general practitioner, HESTA member and volunteer spokesperson.
"Divesting from fossil fuels would show true leadership and align with the values of the health and community sector workers who are their members. We hope the award finalists and attendees will read our letter and consider the impact of HESTA's investment choices.”
WHAT: Healthcare workers and community members protest HESTA's gas investments outside their annual Excellence Awards
WHEN: 5.30 pm, Thursday, August 7
WHERE: Sofitel Hotel on Collins St
VISUALS: Healthcare workers and a choir in scrubs holding a banner and signs calling on HESTA to divest from Santos and Woodside
Contact:
Prior to event: Dr Bronwyn McDonald Healthy Futures Campaigner, 0408 477 403
During event: Chloe Aldenhoven 0432 328 107
Available for comment: Dr Felicity Heale GP, HESTA Member and Healthy Futures Supporter
About us:
About Healthy Futures: Healthy Futures is one of Australia’s leading health and climate advocacy organisations. We are a grassroots group of healthcare workers and community members working to protect public health by taking action for the climate.
Contact details:
For contact prior to the event, contact Bronwyn McDonald Healthy Futures Campaigner, 0408 477 403; for media contact at the event Chloe Aldenhoven 0432 328 107. Available on request Dr Felicity Heale, Hesta Member and GP