2025-11-27
Later this week, every Greens representative in Canberra will be piling into an electric car and heading up to Newcastle to join the blockade of the world’s biggest coal port—calling out Labor’s climate apathy and demanding real climate action.
Attending will be Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Jo Clay, Member for Brindabella Laura Nuttall and Member for Yerrabi, Andrew Braddock.
“Last year, an estimated seven-thousand everyday people came to the blockade of the world’s biggest coal port in Newcastle. That makes last years’ event the largest civil disobedience action in Australian history,” said Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.
“This year, Rising Tide is set to be even better, and even bigger than last year—with more community support behind the need for climate action than ever.
“Despite attempts by the local government to shut democratic protests down, thousands of activists from across the country, including many climate-concerned Canberrans, will be making their way up to Newcastle to join the blockade.
“These Canberrans are joining the movement because they’re fed-up with Labor’s constant two-faced approach to climate change—promising action on one hand while approving new fossil fuel projects at the same time.
“People are sick of the fat cheques Labor gets from their fossil fuel cronies undermining our democracy and the sustainability of our planet.
“By clinging to a weird internal patriotism about ‘being in power’, Labor convinces itself that climate apathy is acceptable. But holding power is no virtue if you’re selling out our communities and our future—and that’s why so many are attending.
“Our supporters are protesting because it’s the right thing to do—because our planet is dying and the government is wishing and hoping it along. Because Labor are lining the pockets of their fossil fuel donors while everyday people are deprived of a planet.
“Here in the ACT, our Climate Minister still won’t call on the federal government to stop approving new coal and gas mines, because Labor is one and the same when it comes to climate—all in a city that prides itself on being climate-conscious.
“From the Barr Government’s failure to update the climate strategy, to the literal blank page under ‘climate’ in ACT Labor’s platform, our local government is fully complicit in this slow, insidious slide into climate inaction and they need to step-up.
“The many Canberrans going to this protest should be a wakeup call for Labor—the time for action is now, and empty words will not placate fed-up everyday people who just want change and dare to hope that something better is possible.