Home > Dorothy and Toto deliver brain, heart and backbone to super funds failing on climate

Dorothy and Toto deliver brain, heart and backbone to super funds failing on climate

22 April 2025

AustralianSuper, HESTA and Hostplus are having trouble telling their climate claims apart from gas industry spin. So our new campaigners Dorothy and Toto delivered these funds some crucial missing parts.

Nearly every super fund in Australia invests members’ retirement savings in oil and gas company Woodside. This climate wrecking company has plans to massively expand production and undermine global efforts to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

Check out the video below and take action

Yet most super funds are failing to take effective climate action.

Instead of demanding an end to Woodside’s polluting oil and gas growth plans, super funds continue to let the company get away with climate carnage at the expense of their own members’ future.

So we enlisted the help of Dorothy and Toto to put these super funds on the right course. The ‘yellow brick roadmap to net zero,’ you might call it!

Dorothy and Toto left the Emerald City to pay a visit to AustralianSuper, HESTA and Hostplus. They delivered a brain, a backbone and a heart to these funds, reminding them to demand Woodside ends its polluting oil and gas expansion plans.

Contact your super fund today and tell it to stand up to Wicked Woodside!

Take action!

Join Dorothy and Toto in telling your super fund to raise pressure on Wicked Woodside to end its dangerous gas expansion plans.

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As a member, I am writing to demand that my super fund exercises its voting rights to push for greater climate action at Woodside’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).

Despite a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) in 2024, the company has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[1] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[2]

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including super funds like ours are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals.

Responsibility for Woodside’s inadequate response to investors’ climate concerns and misguided growth strategy sits with the board of directors. Investors should respond to the governance concerns raised by these issues by voting against all incumbent directors.
At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge my super fund to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that my super fund will vote this way.

[1] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[2] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

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Message for funds not exposed to Woodside (Australian Ethical Super, Cruelty Free Super, Future Super, NGS Super and Verve Super)

Good news! Your fund does not invest in Wicked Woodside.

Will you help spread the word by sharing this video with a friend? Copy the link below, or use the buttons on this web page to share it on social media.

www.marketforces.org.au/ruby-slippers

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Message to AustralianSuper

Note: This will be sent to AustralianSuper’s complaints department.

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Your message to AustralianSuper(Required)

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To AustralianSuper,

As a member, I am writing to demand that AustralianSuper takes the crucial opportunity to vote for real change at Woodside’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM). AustralianSuper must exercise its voting rights to demand greater climate action or can expect to be called out for greenwashing.

I understand that Dorothy and Toto recently left the Emerald City and attempted to deliver a new brain to the AustralianSuper office in Naarm / Melbourne.[1] Given AustralianSuper’s large position in Woodside, the fund has an imperative to challenge Woodside’s greenwash and demand an end to the company’s misguided oil and gas growth strategy.

Despite a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) in 2024, the company has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[2] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[3]

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including AustralianSuper are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals and the fund’s own portfolio climate commitments.

By failing to increase pressure by voting against the board Chair in 2024, AustralianSuper missed a crucial opportunity to push for real change to Woodside's high-risk growth strategy that is driving up real-world emissions. Another such opportunity is fast approaching and AustralianSuper must take it.

At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge AustralianSuper to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that AustralianSuper will vote this way.

[1] https://www.marketforces.org.au/ruby-slippers/

[2] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[3] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

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Message to Aware Super

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Your message to Aware Super(Required)

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To Aware Super,

As a member, I am writing to ask that Aware Super builds on last year’s encouraging display of climate action and demands an end to Woodside’s polluting gas expansion plans ahead of the company’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).

I was thrilled to see that Aware Super pre-declared its intention to vote against the re-election of Woodside's Chair on climate grounds in 2024, increasing pressure on the company to rein in its gas growth strategy and stop driving up real-world emissions. I even understand that Dorothy and Toto recently left the Emerald City to deliver a ‘courage medal’ to the Aware Super office in Naarm / Melbourne as a token of appreciation for this, in the hopes that Aware Super may take even bolder action this year.[1]

However, despite this positive step from Aware Super, a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) and a significant 17% vote against the re-election of the company’s Chair, Woodside has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[2] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[3]

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including Aware Super are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals and the fund’s own portfolio climate commitments.

At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge Aware Super to pre-declare its intentions to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that Aware Super will publicise its intentions to vote this way, taking a clear position against Woodside's oil and gas growth strategy for driving up real-world emissions.

I urge the fund to live up to its new ‘courage medal’ by building on last year's progress and increasing pressure on Woodside to end its polluting gas expansion plans. Don’t let Dorothy and Toto down!

[1] https://www.marketforces.org.au/ruby-slippers/

[2] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[3] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

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Message to HESTA

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To HESTA,

As a member, I am writing to demand that HESTA takes the crucial opportunity to vote for real change at Woodside’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM). HESTA must exercise its voting rights to demand greater climate action or can expect to be called out for greenwashing.

I understand that Dorothy and Toto recently left the Emerald City and attempted to deliver a new backbone to the HESTA office in Naarm / Melbourne.[1] While HESTA’s ‘active ownership’ efforts at Woodside in 2024 initially looked promising, they ended up weak and ineffective in practice. By failing to increase pressure by voting against the board Chair in 2024, HESTA missed a crucial opportunity to push for real change to Woodside's high-risk growth strategy that is driving up real-world emissions. I can only hope that HESTA finally shows some backbone and stands up to Woodside’s greenwash this year by demanding an end to the company’s misguided oil and gas growth strategy.

Despite a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) in 2024, the company has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[2] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[3]

Woodside’s upcoming AGM will be the third since HESTA placed the company on its ‘engagement watchlist.’ During that time and on HESTA’s watch, Woodside has doubled down on its polluting oil and gas growth strategy and its real-world emissions have skyrocketed.

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including HESTA are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals and the fund’s own portfolio climate commitments.

At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge HESTA to pre-declare its intentions to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that HESTA will publicise its intentions to vote this way, taking a clear position against Woodside's oil and gas growth strategy for driving up real-world emissions.

[1] https://www.marketforces.org.au/ruby-slippers/

[2] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[3] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

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Message to Hostplus

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Your message to Hostplus(Required)

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To Hostplus,

As a member, I am writing to demand that Hostplus takes the crucial opportunity to vote for real change at Woodside’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM). Hostplus must exercise its voting rights to demand greater climate action or can expect to be called out for greenwashing.

I understand that Dorothy and Toto recently left the Emerald City to deliver a new heart to the Hostplus office in Naarm / Melbourne.[1] Given the average Hostplus member is still 30 years away from retirement,[2] the fund has an imperative to look out for the long-term interests of its members by demonstrating compassion for people and the planet. This includes challenging Woodside’s greenwash and demanding an end to the company’s misguided oil and gas growth strategy.

Despite a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) in 2024, the company has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[3] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[4]

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including Hostplus are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals and the fund’s own portfolio climate commitments.

At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge Hostplus to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that Hostplus will vote this way.

[1] https://www.marketforces.org.au/ruby-slippers/

[2] https://hostplus.com.au/members/our-products-and-services/investment-options/how-we-invest

[3] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[4] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

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Message to Vision Super

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Your message to Vision Super(Required)

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To Vision Super,

As a member, I am writing to ask that Vision Super takes stronger escalation measures at Woodside, including demanding an end to the company’s polluting gas expansion plans ahead of its upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).

I was pleased to see that Vision Super pre-declared its intention to vote against the re-election of Woodside's Chair on climate grounds in 2024, increasing pressure on the company to rein in its gas growth strategy and stop driving up real-world emissions.

Better still, I was thrilled to see Vision Super taking a clear position against Santos’ “imprudent” gas expansion plans, demonstrating this through action by voting against all resolutions at the company’s most recent AGM.[1]

However, despite these positive steps from Vision Super, a world record 58% vote against Woodside’s Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) and a significant 17% vote against the re-election of the company’s Chair in 2024, Woodside has still not delivered a genuine climate risk management strategy and remains aligned with “3.4°C” of warming.[2] Woodside continues to pursue a risky, high capital expenditure oil and gas growth strategy with a potential pipeline of eight new oil and gas developments.[3]

Investor engagement with Woodside over the past five years has failed to avoid increased emissions through new oil and gas development. Stronger stewardship measures by investors including Vision Super are therefore required to address these serious governance concerns and align Woodside with global climate goals.

Responsibility for Woodside’s inadequate response to investors’ climate concerns and misguided growth strategy sits with the board of directors. Investors should respond to the governance concerns raised by these issues by voting against all incumbent directors and disclosing their reasons for doing so, as well as outlining clear and time-bound escalation measures for Woodside.

At the upcoming Woodside Energy AGM, I urge Vision Super to pre-declare its intentions to vote:

• AGAINST the adoption of the company’s remuneration report
• AGAINST the re-election of Ann Pickard
• AGAINST the re-election of Ben Wyatt
• AGAINST the election of Tony O’Neill

Please confirm in writing within one week that Vision Super will publicise its intentions to vote this way, taking a clear position against Woodside's oil and gas growth strategy for driving up real-world emissions.

Please also publicise the clear, time-bound escalation steps that Vision Super will be taking at Woodside, given the company has failed to adequately respond to Vision Super’s increasing pressure over the years.

[1] https://viewpoint.glasslewis.com/WD/MeetingDetail/?siteId=Vision%20Super&securityId=41447

[2] https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/woodside-energy-group-ltd/IID000000002189728

[3] https://investorbriefings.marketforces.org.au/link/884296/

Sincerely,

Of course I want to get updates about this campaign from Market Forces!

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TOOK ACTION: Super – Ruby slippers – April 2025

The Climate Wreckers of Oz

Take action! Contact your super fund

AustralianSuper has been falling for Woodside’s greenwash for years, so we delivered the fund a new brain. Hopefully AustralianSuper realises it has been brainwashed by gas industry spin before it’s too late!

HESTA is in desperate need of a backbone because it’s letting members down by not standing up to Woodside and its dangerous gas expansion plans. We delivered HESTA a new backbone, hoping to see some nerve this year. Dorothy did not like HESTA’s spineless engagement efforts with Woodside in 2024.

This delivery came at the right time, because HESTA recently threw its members under the bus by backing the gas expansion plans of another major climate wrecker, Santos.

Hostplus needs more compassion for people and the planet, so we delivered the fund a new heart. Hostplus has consistently failed to hold Woodside accountable for its polluting gas expansion plans and must instead start using its members’ retirement savings to advocate for a safe and equitable future.

In better news, we also delivered Aware Super a ‘courage medal’ for speaking out against Woodside and its polluting gas expansion plans last year.

Don’t lose your valour now, Aware Super! Build on last year’s progress and increase pressure on Woodside to end its climate-wrecking gas growth plans.

Woodside’s 2025 annual general meeting is only a couple of weeks away, on 8 May. Super funds serious about their climate commitments must take bolder action by demanding an end to Woodside’s dangerous oil and gas expansion plans.

Contact your super fund today

Tags:AustralianSuper,Aware Super,climate,ESG,gas,greenwashing,hesta,HOSTPlus,super funds,superannuation,Woodside