Sydney: Tough new penalties introduced for protesters including two years in jail and $22,000 fines

Two climate protesters have their visa cancelled as tough new penalties are introduced for activists who block traffic – including two years in jail and $22,000 fines

  • NSW Government implements tough new laws aimed at protesters
  • Demonstrators who block major tunnels and bridges could face two years in jail
  • Move comes after Blockade Australia staged three-consecutive days of protests

Two climate protesters who blocked roads in and out of Sydney’s biggest port have had their visas cancelled and will be kicked out of Australia.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his powers to revoke the visas on ‘good order grounds’ after they caused traffic chaos this week. 

Protesters who block major roads in Australia will be jailed for up to two years under new laws introduced by the government.

Sydney’s south was brought to a halt for the third-consecutive day on Thursday after Blockade Australia demonstrators suspended themselves along railway lines and a busy bridge that heads into Port Botany.

Under tough new legislation, people who shut down critical thoroughfares including bridges and tunnels could cop $22,000 fines and spend two years behind bars, as the NSW Government cracks down on protests creating traffic disruptions.

A Blockade Australia activist posted live footage of himself suspended over a bridge at Port Botany on Wednesday

Under tough new legislation, people who shut down critical thoroughfares including bridges and tunnels could cop $22,000 fines and spend two years behind bars

Under tough new legislation, people who shut down critical thoroughfares including bridges and tunnels could cop $22,000 fines and spend two years behind bars

Currently the rules are only in place for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but officials are looking widen the penalty for other major roads.

Two brothers aged 21 and 23 were arrested in Port Botany this week after staging protests at the entry point to Port Botany as part of Blockade Australia’s attempts to create awareness over the world’s growing climate emergency.

The two German students are believed to be the pair whose visas were cancelled.

Mr Hawke’s decision came after NSW Police Minister Paul Toole approached the federal government about sending them home. 

‘I want them deported,’ he said.

‘They have no place here in NSW to be hosting these protests and to be putting people’s lives and their businesses at risk. 

The Banksmeadow protest has blocked vehicles from entering and exiting the busy Hutchinson terminal at Port Botany

The Banksmeadow protest has blocked vehicles from entering and exiting the busy Hutchinson terminal at Port Botany

Currently the harsh rules are only in place for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but officials are looking widen the penalty for other major roads

Currently the harsh rules are only in place for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but officials are looking widen the penalty for other major roads

‘They’re not studying clearly to me. They’re more interested in protesting and causing huge disruptions here in the state.’   

Two women were also arrested on Wednesday afternoon after blocking another road with trucks that enters the port, with a 71-year-old chaining herself to the vehicle with a bike lock. 

Both were charged with encouraging the carrying on of an operation for the commission of crime, not obeying police directions and willfully preventing free passage of a person, vehicle or vessel.

The delays are expected to cost millions of dollars due to supply chain and productivity issues.

Officers were on hand in the port again on Thursday but were unable to stop the group from causing further delays.  

Climate protests have been increasing in Australia and throughout the world with governments refusing to acknowledge the crisis the planet is facing

Climate protests have been increasing in Australia and throughout the world with governments refusing to acknowledge the crisis the planet is facing

‘The penalties currently in place have clearly not deterred protesters who continue to block roads across Sydney,’ Mr Toole said.

‘It can’t keep happening. Unauthorised protests have no place in our state and these tighter laws and tougher penalties we’re introducing prove we have zero tolerance for this selfish, disruptive and unruly behaviour.’

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the change to the regulation will ensure there are severe penalties for future protestors looking to block bridges and tunnels across Sydney.

‘Protestors who stop daily commuters getting to work in the morning and home in the afternoon put themselves and drivers at risk and have no place on NSW roads,’ Mrs Ward said.

‘Under these changes, protestors who block major routes including the Spit Bridge and the Western Distributor will now face harsher penalties, aligned to the disruption they create across the road network.’

Labor leader Chris Minns said the climate change activists were ‘idiotic’ and supported implementing severe punishments for those participating. 

‘Blockade Australia have flagged they have big plans for more action later this year, so the Police Minister needs to make sure they actually have the resources in place to deal with it,’ he said. 



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