21/08/2019

A climate activist has locked himself to machinery on the site of Adani’s Carmichael mine this morning in defiance of the Queensland’s Government’s move to outlaw lock-on devices.

Emu Park based father John Williams locked himself to a drill rig – stopping work on the controversial project a day after Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk promised harsher penalties for climate protestors participating in civil disobedience.

Frontline Action on Coal spokesperson Kim Croxford said Williams’ protest is “part of a growing, non-violent movement of concerned citizens determined to protect our wonderful world from the extreme impacts of climate and ecological breakdown.”

“Civil 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 rights, gender equality, indigenous self-determination and environmental issues.

“If 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. Those 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.”

“With 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.

“The climate crisis impacts us all. Increasing penalties will not stop good people standing up for the environment and one another.”