Image: Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton unveiling the details of proposed nuclear energy plan (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)
Environmental activist group, Rising Tide, has today protested at multiple Liberal leaders’ speeches across Sydney in response to the party’s new nuclear policies.
Rising Tide members made seperate interruptions to a speech from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at the Lowy Institute earlier today, with one even being tackled by security.
In the speech, Dutton outlined the Coalition’s national security vision for Australia, saying the country confronted a “far more uncertain and dangerous world today than at any time in recent memory”.
The first protestor, Zack Schofield, yelled out “Mr Dutton, why are you lying to the Australian people about the cost of nuclear?” as the Liberal leader started to present his speech.
Minutes after Schofield was escorted out, another protester, Nigel Cox interrupted the speech.
He was forced out of the room by a member of security, landing on other people seated in his row and continuing to shout as he was escorted out.
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Rising Tide said they intended the protest to bring to attention that Dutton had not been fully upfront with the true cost of his new nuclear policy.
“A splinter of the Liberal Party, people calling themselves Liberals Against Nuclear have themselves launched an ad campaign against Dutton,” Schofield told CityHub.
“Even they can see that handing over $700 billion for an industry that doesn’t exist yet… is a bad move.”
Later in the day Schofield, along with another Rising Tide Member, Shaun Murray, shut down a press event held by Shadow Treasurer, Angus Taylor MP.
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Murray asked Taylor “Why are you asking taxpayers to fund nuclear power, when it’s going to drive up energy prices?”
Schofield then asked “Mr Taylor, your own party has started campaigning against your nuclear policy. Why is the party campaigning against itself on this flagship policy?’ referring back to Liberals Against Nuclear.
Rising Tide also took similar action in Brisbane earlier this week.
“Australians want to know why the major parties aren’t doing right by all of us”
“Well, I think everyday Australians want to know why the major parties aren’t doing right by all of us, and why they’re proposing policies that are contradictory or lack detail or otherwise seem to prioritize the interests of big business over us, everyday Australians,” Schofield told CityHub after the action at the Lowy Institute.
In December 2024, Schofield spray painted the word “liar” on the windows of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s electoral office.
This came after Plibersek approved a “greenfield” coal mine in Queensland, along with extensions to three others, and then proceeded to claim that the Albanese government hadn’t approved any new coal mines over the year.
Schofield immediately presented himself to Redfern police station, still holding a can of red spray paint, where he was then arrested.
“Unlike our federal politicians I’m here taking responsibility for my actions and will happily face the consequences because we’re in a climate crisis and this is what’s required to tell truth to power,” he said in a video at the police station.
The activist group was also responsible for the anti-coal blockade at Nobby’s Beach in Newcastle this past November. The blockade resulted in 170 protestors, including 14 children, being arrested. The action was organised by Rising Tide to blockade Newcastle Harbour and to demand more dedication from the federal government to prevent climate change.
These actions all come as the NSW Government ramped up their anti-protest laws. Recently Premier Chris Minns introduced a slew of laws regarding hate speech and protests around places of worship.
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