Hundreds Join Newcastle Harbour Climate Protest Against Coal Exports

The protest was organised by climate action group Rising Tide, which began promoting its “Paddle for the Planet” event several months ago.

The demonstration proceeded despite attempts by NSW Police to halt the event over safety concerns and potential resource pressures. Earlier this week, Newcastle Council also moved to prevent Rising Tide from holding future events on council-managed land.

However, a court ruling on Friday dismissed the application seeking to stop the protest, determining that the event was in the public interest.

Following the harbour demonstration, Joe Hallenstein, spokesperson for Rising Tide, criticised both federal and state governments over their climate policies.

Hallenstein accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of presenting Australia as a climate leader internationally while continuing to approve fossil fuel projects domestically.

“Anthony Albanese is over in Türkiye telling the world that Australia is a leader in climate action, when the opposite is true,” Hallenstein said.

He also criticised the policies of both the federal Labor government and the New South Wales government led by Chris Minns.

“Both Albanese’s federal Labor government, and Chris Minns’s state Labor government continue to approve new coal and gas projects, which is the opposite of action on climate change.”

The protest coincided with international climate discussions taking place at **COP31 in Türkiye, where governments are debating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.

Newcastle remains one of the world’s largest coal export ports, making it a focal point for climate demonstrations and debates over Australia’s energy future.

Organisers said the event was intended to draw attention to the environmental impacts of fossil fuel exports and advocate for stronger action on climate change, while authorities monitored the protest to ensure public safety.