In the media
How I'm making change from the inside
There is no doubt that there are many ways to try and effect change and in everything I’ve ever done, I’m always exploring new ways to do this.
In this context, in early 2021, I was looking at ways I could make change across the environmental space and I purchased small shareholdings in a number of companies where I felt shareholder activism may be a way to both better understand the entities involved and potentially exert pressure from within to drive in reform.
These companies include Beach Energy, Viva Energy and Transurban and I’ve openly declared these shares as part of the Register of Members Interests.
Viva Energy was chosen as the company owns one of the last two remaining oil refineries in Australia and I was concerned the refinery was not being pushed to produce the highest quality fuel for the Australian market.
Beach Energy was chosen to provide me with insight into how they were proceeding with oil and gas exploration.
Transurban was chosen because I wanted to be across any discussion as it would relate to their role in continuing to expand toll roads. As you would be aware, I have been very public regarding my concerns about the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link and the impact of the project on tree and green space loss, air pollution and traffic congestion through the North Sydney CBD.
In each instance, I have been very vocal in my desire to see change and reform and remains committed to exploring shareholder activism as a way to affect change.
The small amount of dividends I have received in the last 12 months were donated back into renewable energy campaigns or emissions offsetting.
I encourage anyone with the capacity to take such a course of action to also become shareholders in the companies that they wish to see reformed as it is often only from working within that change can be driven.
Other relevant posts
Independent raises alarm on social media ban
ABC Radio National, 29 November 2024
Despite growing ranks opposing the bill, a ban on social media for under 16s passed the Senate late on the final sitting day of the year. In a radio interview about the ban, Kylea warns that the Bill "doesn't do what it says on the tin".
Australia Has Barred Everyone Under 16 From Social Media. Will It Work?
New York Times, 29 November 2024
The New York Times covers Australia's new social media law, noting that how the restriction will be enforced online remains an open question. Kylea has said that law would stop short of holding social media companies accountable for the safety of the product they are providing. “They are not fixing the potholes; they are just telling our kids there won’t be any cars,” she is quoted as saying.
Joint media conference on Build to Rent legislation
Media conference, 27 November 2024
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has acknowledged the work of Kylea and others on the crossbench in working towards ways to address Australia's housing crisis. Kylea has described the Build to Rent legislation, which was developed and passed with the support of a broad coalition of parliamentarians, industry groups and social services organisations, as "a milestone in moving ourselves forward as a nation ... This is the best of public policy development: when we lean in together to overcome our differences, to ultimately put the solution at the front of what we're trying to achieve for Australians."
Labor and LNP strike deal on immigration detention
ABC News, 27 November 2024
Media coverage of a behind-the-scenes deal between the Government and Opposition over a suite of migration laws that would enable Australia to pay other countries to take immigration detainees with limited safeguards; block all visitors from countries that won't take back their citizens; and search detainees without a warrant and confiscate their mobile phones. Coalition immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan has described the legislation as "us setting the agenda", while Kylea has criticised the Government's decision to "kowtow to the opposition" ahead of the next election.
Labor’s legislation backlog leaves genetic discrimination ban stalled
The Australian, 26 November 2024
The Labor Government will not legislate a ban on genetic discrimination by the end of the year, despite earlier commitments to do so. Kylea, who played a major role in advocating for the ban, has questioned the delay, to which the Government has responded that it plans to deliver the ban within this term.
'A dark day in our history': Refugee advocates warn Labor laws put thousands at risk
ABC News, 26 November 2024
Kylea says the Government's proposal to give the immigration minister sweeping new deportation powers worsens Australia's "egregious human rights abuse" of refugees. "As a nation, we've been in breach of international human rights law for nearly three decades now in the way that we treat people who seek asylum in our country… Labor had the opportunity to .show that we are better than where previous governments have chosen to take us, but they've taken the coward's route and decided to kowtow to the opposition."
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