NSW Police take Rising Tide to Supreme Court over Newcastle Harbour paddle out protest

New South Wales Police are once again attempting to stop a climate protest in Muloobinba/Newcastle from going ahead. 

It announced on November 6 that it would take Rising Tide (RT) to the Supreme Court to try and stop the Paddle for the Planet protest on November 14.

Hundreds are set to join the paddle out into Newcastle Harbour — the world’s largest coal port — on kayaks, canoes, surfboards and other watercraft. Thousands more will support from the shore.

NSW Police has taken RT to court for previous protests in Newcastle Harbour, and have carried out mass arrests of protesters, most of whom have had their charges dropped. 

NSW Police are challenging the event’s Form 1, or Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly, which gives protesters legal protection against obstruction charges and move-on orders.

RT said the paddle out will go ahead regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.

“We have a legal right to assemble and a right to protest without permission, and it’s legal to gather in public places and to paddle in the Newcastle Harbour,” it said.

“Police cannot outlaw protest … We have a great legal team from Climate Defenders Australia who will be arguing our case in the Supreme Court and we’re feeling hopeful about our prospects. 

“But regardless of the court outcome, Paddle for the Planet will still go ahead.” 

The protest coincides with the United Nations COP31 climate conference and aims to highlight the hypocrisy of federal Labor claiming to address climate change while approving new coal and gas projects. 

“We’re already feeling the devastating impacts of the climate crisis; many thousands of lives have been lost in recent months across the Asian continent, in flash and monsoonal floods and heatwaves, and scientists project that almost half a million people around the world will die by February due to the climate-fueled super El Niño,” RT said. 

NSW Labor police minister Yasmin Catley said she “backs” the police decision to try and stop the protest, citing safety concerns.

“The only safety issue here is the Labor government's reckless expansion of coal and gas fuelling dangerous climate change,” RT said. 

Steve O’Brien, Socialist Alliance candidate for Newcastle, said Labor thinks approving coal mines and blocking protests could shore up its vote in the Hunter region. 

“This will not address years of Labor’s neglect … the Mater hospital, for example, is a mould infested mess, buses remain privatised and it’s a long wait at the Adamstown crossing when the coal wagons roll by. 

“Rising Tide is spot on to point out the need to protect the right to protest. NSW Premier Chris Minns would rather silence dissent than take real action on climate change.”

[Join the Paddle for the Planet on November 14.]