Barbara Pocock (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I spent the last three days on the water and on the beach in Newcastle with thousands of Australians in one of the most significant climate uprisings on the planet. The tide is rising, and Newcastle's Rising Tide festival was a powerful act of celebration and protest. Over 5,000 Australians came together to peacefully protest and occupy the world's largest coal export port, standing together to stop shipping in Newcastle port. They're asking this government to stop new coal and gas, to end exports from Newcastle by 2030 and to tax fossil fuels and put the money that we get from tax towards the transition that we so desperately need and Newcastle needs. However, since coming to power, the Albanese government has approved 28 new fossil fuel projects, and hundreds are in the pipeline. The science is clear: we cannot have new fossil fuel projects and ensure a safe future for our planet.

This is the future of our kids we're talking about, and they know it. Amongst the 170 arrested were 14 children and young people aged under 18. The youngest was 13, and he had lost his home in the Lismore floods. More than 20 people affected by the floods travelled from the Northern Rivers and stood with people also affected by bushfires. They know the score. I rode alongside 17-year-olds from across our country and people from all occupations. More than 180 South Australians made their way there, alongside miners, doctors, childcare workers and so on.

Clumsy attempts of the New South Wales Minns government to stop the protest failed. Protesting should not be this much fun. It might just change the world. It's only going to grow, so see you next year, all of those who came this year, when we assemble again in October and November.