A climate activist behind the “protestival” to blockade Port of Newcastle believes more politicians should be “called out” for their actions.
Rising Tide community organiser Zachary “Zack” Edward Jaworowski Schofield graffitied the word “liar” on the federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek’s Sydney electorate office last month.
The events were filmed and broadcast on social media by Rising Tide, the group which organised the protest in November that led to more than 100 arrests on Newcastle Harbour.
Schofield handed himself in after flagging with the media his intention to attend a local police station.
The 25-year-old was charged with trespassing and destroying or damaging property, and he appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.
The Ashfield man told reporters he took full responsibility for his actions, which were partially spurred by comments made by Ms Plibersek on Instagram that the Albanese government had not approved any new coal mines in 2024.
“Under her watch, she’s approved seven,” he said, referring to a string of extensions that were given the tick of approval.
They include MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant and Ashton Coal Operations’ Ravensworth mines in the Hunter, Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri and Idemitsu’s Boggabri sites.
In Queensland, the federal government green-lit expansions for BHP Mitsubishi’s Caval Ridge, Jellinbah Group’s Lake Vermont Meadowbrook project and Vitrinite’s Vulcan South coal mine.
“I think every day Australians like to see when politicians are actually called out for lying to the public,” Schofield said outside court on Monday 13 January.
“That was something that I was very happy to do.”
More people should stand up and act on their principles, he added.
Police allege the law student unlawfully gained entry to the office complex in which Ms Plibersek’s office is located by entering the door when a tenant left.
Still holding the can of spray-paint after the alleged vandalism, he later walked through the doors of Redfern police station.
“The important thing to note is that unlike our federal politicians, I’m here to take responsibility for my actions and will happily face the consequences,” he said.
“We are in a climate crisis, this is what’s required to tell the truth to power.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Plibersek said no new coal mines had been approved in 2024, noting the projects signed off by the government were all extensions to existing operations.
These expansions would have to comply with Australia’s net-zero targets and strict environmental conditions, she added.
“They will all be assessed against the government’s strong climate safeguard laws that the Greens party and independents helped design, and that they voted for,” the spokeswoman said.
Ms Plibersek previously said vandalism and intimidation was “completely unacceptable,” and the graffiti had distracted her staff from helping the community with matters like Medicare, Centrelink and disability support.
“The way we disagree matters,” she said.
“It should be peaceful, respectful and lawful.”
Schofield appeared alone and represented himself in court.
He was granted an adjournment after telling a registrar he had only just retained a lawyer.
His case will return to court on 3 February.
- With AAP
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