Why are you spying on us, Mr Ferguson?

Many of you will have seen the Age coverage (Saturday 7^th January), exposing Ferguson’s instigation of surveillance of issues-based, especially climate change campaign groups. 

We have good reason to believe that he has authorised surveillance of groups and individuals within Batman, including kinder children and primary school students and members of the Darebin Greens. 

WA Senator Scott Ludlam has been active on this issue in the Senate Estimates Committee for the past two years and transcripts of his efforts can be found here and here. 

What you can do:

 

Write to Ferguson: Martin.Ferguson.MP@aph.gov.au

If you’re an active environmentalist or climate campaigner in Batman, you may wish to write to Mr Ferguson requesting information about whether you’ve been subjected to surveillance.

 

Write a letter to the Editor.

Sample of a letter below:

As a resident and Greens campaigner in Martin Ferguson's seat, two ironies strike me about his calls for increased police surveillance of environmentalists.

The first is that Ferguson's dealings as Minister for Energy and Resources are often hidden from public scrutiny. Even those directly affected by Ferguson's decisions are unable to access information about their lands and properties, due to Ferguson’s ‘commercial in confidence’ claims.

The second arises from my own experience. Last year, I helped a local GP organise a World Environment vigil outside Mr Ferguson's electoral office. Churchgoing and unaffiliated with political or activist organisations, she is highly concerned about climate change. We were met by a phalanx of intelligence officers and local police. Because it’s hard to reach the seriously under-resourced Preston station by phone, I took the opportunity to talk with the Sergeant about the recent failure of the police to attend a range of local incidents.

According to Robert McClelland, surveillance is necessary to prevent 'unlawful activity'. What’s actually happening is wasting public funds, diverting police resources, and most disturbing of all, attempting to criminalise the legitimate, lawful activities of those who disagree with the government’s approach to climate change.

Alex Bhathal,

Preston 3072

 

Join an action

Be at the civil liberties protest outside Martin Ferguson’s electoral office, Thursday 12^th January,  4.30 pm.

 

Participate in the Cut Out the Middle Man –Check in With Mr Ferguson and Tell Him What You’ve Been Doing action, this Friday 13^th January, from your computer (letter) or phone or drop into 159 High St, Preston.

 

Facebookers: Update your status to read “I’m a resident of Batman electorate and active in my concern about climate change.  Are you spying on me, Mr Ferguson?’

 

Contribute to a campaign fund on this issue: please write to darebinbranch@vic.greens.org.au and tell us the amount you wish to donate.

 

Sign the Australian Youth Climate Coalition's Repower Australia petition, going direct to Mr Ferguson.