With a high likelihood that protesters will block the world’s biggest coal port, the NSW Government is pushing new anti-protest laws through Parliament.
A planned climate protest, which might see a blockade of rail lines to the world’s largest coal mine at Newcastle, has prompted the New South Wales State (NSW) government to introduce a specific offence covering such an action.
Although protesters who blocked trains already face up to two years in jail, there is no added threat of a fine as is the case if they were to obstruct a road, bridge, port or other major facility.
Labor plans to introduce legislation which will add a fine of up to $22,000 to the possible penalty, which would apply to not only railway lines across the state but also light rail lines, such as those outside Sydney’s Town Hall, where protesters frequently gather.
Climate action group Rising Tide has announced it plans to go ahead with what it’s calling a “People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port” at the Port of Newcastle, despite NSW Police winning a case in the state Supreme Court allowing them to refuse the approval of the event.
Authorised protests are protected from prosecution but…
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