Essay by Eric Worrall
“Rising Tide” are a small group of Aussie radicals who are trying to stand out in a crowded marketplace of climate extremist groups.
More than 100 charged after climate protest blocks Port of Newcastle
By Jorge Branco
Adam Vidler 7:07am Nov 27, 2023More than 100 people have been charged after a climate change protest at the Port of Newcastle.
The activists, including a 97-year-old grandfather and a coal miner, had permission for a 30-hour protest at the world’s largest coal port but when they refused to leave at 4pm on Sunday, police moved in.
Subsequently, 109 people – including 49 males, 60 females, five of which were under 18 – were arrested.
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Rising Tide organiser Alexa Stuart called on the Albanese government to block new coal projects and tax coal export profits at 75 per cent to help fund the move away from fossil fuels.
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Pictures in the 9 News Article show the usual display of fossil fuel derived fabrics being worn by painfully ignorant protestors showing a complete lack of self awareness – but we’ve come to expect that.
Their demand for a 75% coal tax is no joke.
Australia is in an interesting position, of being a major global supplier of high quality coking coal, so imposing a 75% tax would be highly disruptive to the economies of many of Australia’s more populous neighbours. Wars have been started for less.
I mean, imagine a world in which Mexico controlled a major US economic lifeline, then suddenly decided to impose a 75% tax, to try to force a change in US policy. I’d imagine people in the USA would be pretty upset by such a hostile move. Australia’s commodity dependent neighbours are no different.
None of this matters to the protestors of course. If they were capable of joined up thinking, they probably wouldn’t waste their time belonging to a group like “Rising Tide”.