User:John Cummings/Archive/blockade Australia

Blockade Australia are an Australian direct action group who raise awareness and push for action on climate change by disrupting fossil fuel production. They describe themselves as “committed to taking the action necessary to disrupt economic bottlenecks of Australia and stop the exploitative colonial project”.

Port of Newcastle
In Novemeber 2021 Blockade Australia protesters carried out two weeks of nonviolent direct action using their bodies, rope and glue to shut down activity at Port of Newcastle, Hunter Region, the largest coal port in the world. As a result of the actions 27 protesters were arrested. Eric Serge Herbert was sentenced to 12 months in prison for climbing on top of a coal train.

Responses
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce stated about the Port of Newcastle shutdown ''“If they’ve got other ways that this nation can earn money right now, then we’re all ears... but in the meantime, we’ve got to make a buck."''

The New South Wales treasurer and energy minister Matt Kean has asked police to “throw the book” at Blockade Australia activists.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin stated “I support the Police in seeking the maximum possible sentence for anybody involved in these idiotic acts”.