In 2014 the Hazelwood mine caught fire for 45 days, creating the worst air pollution disaster in Victoria’s history. Just a few months after that tragic fire, ANZ bank handed over a loan of US$147 million to Hazelwood.
The loan was due to be renewed in June 2016. In the months before, thousands of Environment Victoria supporters emailed and called ANZ not to refinance the loan. Customers with accounts and home loans worth $37 million threatened to divest from the bank. ANZ’s loan was not renewed.