[Greens-Media] Newcastle coal arrest activists congratulated for climate change protest

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release
19 April 2008

Newcastle coal arrest activists congratulated for climate change protest

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has congratulated the
climate change activists arrested at the Newcastle third coal terminal
construction site.

"Today's non-violent action sends an urgent reminder to federal and
state Labor governments that they cannot be serious about climate
change if they don't adopt a no new coal position," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The people arrested today are courageous. Future generations will
thank them for taking a stand and alerting Australians and indeed the
world to the irresponsible actions of coal companies and sympathetic
governments.

"This was a brilliant creative action timed to coincide with the start
of the 2020 summit.

"Today's 50 strong protest continues a long tradtion of peaceful
sit-ins and occupations that have helped build broad based protest
movements to save native forests, stop the Vietnam war and end
apartheid.

"If Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier Morris Iemma fail to give
leadership and plan the transition to a clean green energy based
economy we will need more of these actions.

"Rising Tide and all those who protested today have been left no
choice but to take this action. Time is running out on opportunities
to wind back runaway climate change.

"The best contibution the NSW government can make to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions is to stop construction of a third Coal
Export Terminal at Newcastle Harbour, or the expansion of existing
terminals.

"The third terminal alone would increase Newcastle coal exports –
already the highest in the world – by 66 million tonnes per annum,
producing an extra 160 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution," Ms
Rhiannon said.


For more information:	Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568