Rising Tide climate protester interrupts election debate at the National Press Gallery, demanding an end to new coal and gas

10th April 2025

A climate protester from Rising Tide interrupted the election debate between the climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, and his counterpart Ted O’Brien at the National Gallery in Canberra this morning. 

As Shadow Minister Ted O’Brien began his opening statements, John Wurcker, a grandfather from Canberra interjected, yelling:: “Labor and Liberal are both captured by the fossil fuel industry. When are you going to stop approving new coal and gas?” He unfurled a banner reading “NO NEW COAL OR GAS” and was quickly removed by security.

This is the 8th time that Rising Tide protestors have interrupted press conferences from the leaders of both major parties in the last few weeks. They’ve posed questions to Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor about the viability of their nuclear energy plans, and have asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers when Labor will stop approving new coal and gas projects. 

See more footage on photos on Rising Tide’s Facebook, Instagram, X and Bluesky

Media contact: 

John: 0421 918 396