People’s Blockade of World’s Largest Coal Port to launch mass flotilla calling to TAX COAL PROFITS to FUND NEW JOBS
Saturday 29 November
WHAT: Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port is entering its third day today and will this morning launch a mass flotilla of kayaks and other water craft in Newcastle Harbour to protest coal exports as Australia’s biggest contribution to the climate crisis.
The flotilla will display a giant floating banner that reads “TAX COAL PROFITS - FUND NEW JOBS” . The flotilla is expected to last until Sunday afternoon, with people maintaining a presence on the water continuously, including overnight.
Prior to the launch of the flotilla, high profile campaigners will address the crowd including Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau, Pasifika Leader and Moderator of the NSW Uniting Church; Greg Mullins, former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales; Barbara Ibuai Saibai Islader and climate justice advocate and Senator Larissa Waters Leader of the Australian Greens.
WHERE: Camp Shortland, 6 Nobbys Rd, Newcastle East. A tent with power for charging will be available for media, google maps location here.
WHEN:
10AM Welcome to Country ceremony
10:30AM speeches on the main stage
11AM Flotilla Launch on Horseshoe Beach
11:45AM Press conference on Horseshoe Beach with Rising Tide organisers, leader of The Greens Senator Larissa Waters, Newcastle high school student Grace Goldman, machinery fitter in the Hunter coal industry Zachary Tritton and Sister Mary Tinney from the Sisters of Mercy of Australia.
Zack Schofield, Rising Tide Spokesperson says:
“Thousands of ordinary people have come from all over Australia to join the People's Blockade of the World’s largest coal port and highlight Australia’s enormous contribution to the climate crisis through its coal exports.”
“We’re calling on state and federal governments to protect Australians from the climate crisis by stopping the approval of new coal projects and heavily tax coal export profits to fund new jobs and industries, and a community-led transition away from coal.”
“We are here to show leadership where the government has failed. State and Federal governments are allowing multinational coal corporations to get away with profiting from polluting our climate and not paying their fair share of tax. When governments won't stand up to the greedy coal billionaires the people will.”
Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau, Pasifika Leader and Moderator of the NSW Uniting Church says:
“Climate change caused by burning coal and gas is devastating our planet and God’s Creation - we must change course urgently. More people are suffering in heat waves, floods and droughts, and people on low-lying islands - like my family members in the Pacific - are at great risk of seeing their homes go underwater. I stand with the thousands of people today calling on the government to seek better, fairer and more equitable climate policy through safe and peaceful protest.”
Barbara Ibuai Founder & Principal of Torres Strait Islander led non profit Climate Collective Zenadth Kes:
“We are here because we continue to hear the urgent call of our collective custodianship to our lands, seas, rivers across Australia. We are here because we recognise that climate harm is because of human harm. This must stop. Standing in solidarity, with the demand for immediate discontinuation of new coal projects, immediate taxing of fossil fuel export profits to fund community and industrial transition and payment of climate loss and damage. Time is ticking”.
Greg Mullins, Former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales and founding member of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action says:
"As a firefighter I've witnessed firsthand over more than 50 years how climate change has supercharged disasters including droughts, heatwaves, fires and floods. The devastating Black Summer fires and subsequent record floods that caused so much misery and grief seem to be conveniently fading from the memories of some politicians and parties. It is breathtaking that some seem to be so ethically compromised or unintelligent that they can seriously argue there is no need for net zero, or that our exports of coal and gas don't come back to bite us in the form of escalating disasters. As electors we need to use our people power to remind them who they work for, and that all of us care deeply about our planet, the environment, and our kids' futures."
Media contact: 0414 199 645 / media@risingtide.org.au
Background:
The 2024 People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port saw 7,000 people gather in Newcastle for a week-long protest calling for an end to new coal and gas projects and increased funding to support workers during the transition away from coal. It culminated in the largest single act of civil disobedience for climate action in Australia’s history and attracted international media attention, with 170 people getting arrested for blockading the Newcastle coal port.
Organisers are expecting the 2025 People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port to be the biggest yet. Over the last two days thousands have arrived from around the country, participating in workshops, talks and training. Thousands are expected to join over the weekend to participate in the flotilla in the Newcastle Coal Port.
