Friends of the Earth (FoE) Melbourne  is a non-for profit organisation working for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable future. The international Friends of the Earth network is  active in 77 countries with over 2 million members. Read more.

In November 2018, Victorians will head to the polls. With community concern about climate change on the rise, it's an issue that all political parties must address in detail.

Our state is undergoing profound change as the population grows, entire industries go to the wall, and climate change starts to really impact on our landscapes, economy and lifestyles. Yet Melbourne continues to sprawl, as low density development covers valuable farmland and remnant vegetation, supported by transport infrastructure that will perpetuate our current reliance on cars.

An election provides all parties with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the interconnected issues of climate, energy, social justice, and the economy.

Have you heard about the vital next addition to Melbourne’s world-class rail network?

Melbourne Metro 2 (MM2) is a tunnel between Newport and Clifton Hill via Fishermans Bend, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Parkville and Fitzroy connecting to existing services.

Email our Premier and Opposition Leader today to put MM2 on the agenda in 2018.

MEDIA RELEASE – 31 Aug 2018

Environment group slams federal Coalition for squandering taxpayer dollars on polluting brown coal

Friends of the Earth have slammed the Morrison government’s decision to put $1 million of taxpayers money into the flagging brown coal industry, calling on Victoria’s Matthew Guy opposition to distance themselves from the ideological announcement.

Today marks 2 years since Premier Daniel Andrews announced a permanent ban on all onshore gas mining in Victoria! Happy Anniversary!

Across the state, people worked tirelessly for the Gasfield Free campaign and it was truly a win for people power. All walks of life came together to protect our land, water and health. We fought to protect what we have for future generations, and made democracy work for us.

As we continue to reflect on all the hard work, joys and tribulations over those 5 years, we know that the fracking ban will be one of  the greatest campaigns and wins for the environmental and community movement.

MEDIA RELEASE – 29 Aug 2018

Matthew Guy comes to the party on renewable energy jobs, yet commitment to Vic Renewables Target is the real test

Opposition leader Matthew Guy made a renewable energy policy announcement this morning at Keppel Prince in Portland where hundreds are employed manufacturing wind turbine towers.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy’s proposal would require renewable energy projects over $50 million to use 75 percent local content. The opposition would reject planning permits for projects that fail to meet this standard.

Friends of the Earth say there is currently no modelling on the feasibility of the opposition's proposal and will consult with unions and the renewable energy sector regarding the matter.

"75 percent of zero is still zero, and that means jobs are at risk," said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth renewable energy spokesperson.

Environment group Friends of the Earth says Matthew Guy’s announcement acknowledges the importance of renewable energy jobs, but says that without a commitment to the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, thousands of wind and solar jobs are at risk.

MEDIA RELEASE - 28 August 2018

Friends of the Earth welcomes visionary rail plan for Melbourne

Today Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a game-changing rail plan for Melbourne's suburbs, linking all major rail lines via an underground loop.

Community-driven environment group Friends of the Earth says that with Melbourne's population growth the city needs 21st Century planning and investment in efficient transport solutions, especially in our suburbs.

Victoria's Daniel Andrews government has made a dramatic announcement that it will roll out cheap solar power to more than half a million homes if re-elected, committing to a $1.2 billion plan that would offer rebates and no-interest loans so households can install rooftop solar. 

Environment group Friends of the Earth commend Premier Andrews for the announcement, and call on opposition leader Matthew Guy to match the Premier's ambition on renewable energy.

“The Andrews government's ambitious solar plan is exactly the kind of society-wide rollout of renewable energy Victoria needs to act on climate change” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's Yes 2 Renewables coordinator.

With the Victorian state election only 100 days away, we’re working hard to ensure that all political parties take meaningful climate and environmental policies to the election.

We’ve been in campaign mode since last August but now we’re getting to the serious part of the race. Back in the 2014 state election, FoE’s smart approach to campaigning helped deliver the key environmental wins that were achieved, including:

• The permanent ban on fracking in the state
• The extension of the moratorium on onshore conventional gas drilling
• Our campaign to win the commitment to develop a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (the VRET), and
• Helping secure the safe passage of the re-built Climate Change Act through the Upper House.

This is a high stakes election.

This role would be a temporary addition to the Operations Collective to Friends of the Earth Melbourne, who also serve as the Secretariat for Friends of the Earth Australia. The role is to project manage our finance system upgrade for both Friends of the Earth Australia and Melbourne. They will work in direct collaboration with the Operations Collective to project manage the design and implementation of the system.