MEDIA ALERT
Photo opportunity – Gillard, Abbott and a balloon
A hot air balloon carrying the message, “No more hot air – cut pollution now!” will
be launched in front of Parliament House tomorrow, Tuesday 17 August, by ‘giant
head’ caricatures of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard.
“Australians don’t want more hot air, they want to hear about big clean energy
solutions in the last few days of this election campaign,” said Australian
Conservation Foundation (ACF) executive director Don Henry.
“Australia needs a real plan to make clean energy cheaper, quicker through large-
scale development of solar power.”
Oxfam Australia executive director Andrew Hewett said Oxfam supporters wanted
more investment in clean energy.
“The world’s poorest people are relying on Australia to replace all the hot air of this
election campaign with real solutions,” Mr Hewett said.
“Poor people in developing countries are being affected first and worst by climate
change even though they are least responsible for it. Australia can be a regional
leader and help fund the development of clean energy in poor countries.”
The balloon will fly over Parliament House every morning until the election (weather
permitting). The flights were funded by ACF supporters.
WHEN
Tuesday 17 August, 8:30am
WHAT
Photo opportunity: Caricatures ‘giant heads’ of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard
posing with a hot air balloon in front of Parliament House.
WHO
Don Henry, executive director, ACF
Kelly Dent, climate change spokesperson, Oxfam
Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard ’giant heads,’ worn by Oxfam volunteers.
WHERE
Federation Mall lawn, in front of Parliament House, Canberra
Contact: Kathryn McCallum, ACF Media Adviser, 0403 111 436
John Lindsay, Oxfam Media Manager, 0425 701 801
NEWS 
