The leader of a Hunter environmental group has called the state government’s tough new anti-protest laws “draconian” support for an industry in decline.
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Hunter Environment Lobby president Jan Davis said it was vital for people in the Hunter, the nation’s home of fossil fuel, to be able to protest for a transition away from coal.
“[The coal industry] is winding down and they refuse to accept a peaceful transition to renewables,” Ms Davis said.
“They want the government to support them.
“This legislation supports them to get every last cent out of the ground.”
In March state parliament passed laws that increased fines and jail times for protesters who obstructed mine operations.
Protesters who locked themselves onto equipment to halt operations could receive maximum sentences of seven years in prison, under the revised penalties.
Police will be able to stop, search and detain people and vehicles without a warrant if they suspect they may have equipment used to lock on.
Police will also be able to move-on public protests.
Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts said the NSW Government supported citizens’ rights to legal protests.
“However unlawful activities put the safety of protesters and workers at risk and are costly for businesses and the public,” he said.
“Communities also suffer, with the deployment of police resources reducing the capacity to respond to critical incidents.”
Ms Davis said many environmentalists felt non-violent protests were the only way to drive change.
“Our tax dollars subsidise these companies who take their profits overseas,” she said.
“We build [the coal industry’s] roads, railways, infrastructure – that’s the outrage.
“I’ve met knitting nannas prepared to go to jail for seven years, but is that fair?”
Public opinion polls published last month by Fairfax Media concluded that 60 per cent of Australians opposed the crackdown.
