A CROWD descended on federal Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon's office for a three-hour window on Friday as part of a national movement calling for action on climate change.
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Organisers said students across the country were united as they left school on Friday to occupy MPs' offices.
The protest, which also included a minute of silence for bushfire victims, was designed to stand in solidarity with those impacted by the NSW and Queensland blazes while calling for immediate action on climate change.
The protest was co-ordinated by School Strike 4 Climate, the movement that drove several student strikes across Australia calling for climate action since October last year.
This isn't about politics. It's about scientific reality. Climate change is real and it requires real leadership to address it.
- Federal Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon
Lambton High School student Alexa Stuart said bushfire victims "deserve more than our government's thoughts and prayers".
"They deserve action," Ms Stuart said.
Luka McCallum, a Hunter School of the Performing Arts student who helped organise the action, said students had taken it upon themselves to act in response to government inertia.
"These rapidly spreading bushfires are a prime example of climate change," Mr McCallum said.
"Australians are witnessing these disasters firsthand, with many people losing their homes and even their lives.
"Scorching temperatures and minimal levels of rainfall created by climate change have become a perfect igniter for these fires and without action from our government, they will continue to destroy the places that we once called home."
Ms Claydon said she recognised the "commitment and determination" of those who occupied her office, turning the spotlight to the Liberal government.
She said the Opposition remained committed to climate change and would continue to lobby for action.
"I encourage students and activists to keep putting strong pressure on the Morrison government to act in the interests of the planet and future generations, as I and my Labor colleagues will continue to do," Ms Claydon said in a statement.
"This isn't about politics. It's about scientific reality. Climate change is real and it requires real leadership to address it."
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