A climate activist has locked on to machinery at聽Adani鈥檚 Carmichael coal mine site, in Central Queensland, a day聽after Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk announced penalties for climate protestors participating in civil disobedience.
Emu Park-based father John Williams locked on to a drill rig on August 21, in defiance of state government moves to outlaw lock-on devices, stopping work on the controversial project.
Frontline Action on Coal spokesperson Kim Croxford said Williams鈥 protest is 鈥減art of a growing, non-violent movement of concerned citizens determined to protect our wonderful world from the extreme impacts of climate and ecological breakdown鈥.
鈥淐ivil disobedience, including the use of lock-on devices, has a long and vital history of driving positive social change in Australia and around the world. It has been a key part of struggles for workers鈥 rights, gender equality, indigenous self-determination and environmental issues.
鈥淚f Premier Palaszczuk and Resources Council CEO Ian McFarlane are concerned about safety, they should consider the health impacts of continued inaction in the face of climate emergency.聽
鈥淭hose trying to protect our planet from corporate interests intent on destroying it for their own gain are not the ones who should be labeled reckless or selfish.
鈥淲ith the devastating effects of the climate crisis already evident from the Arctic to the Pacific Islands, everyday people taking actions like this has never been more urgent and necessary.
鈥淭he climate crisis impacts us all. Increasing penalties will not stop good people standing up for the environment and one another.鈥