Environmental protesters interrupt Jim Chalmers’ speech at Queensland Media Club

Environmental protesters have interrupted federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers as he delivered a major pre-Budget speech in Brisbane today.

Two environments protesters have interrupted a speech by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in Brisbane today.

As Dr Chalmers began his speech at the Queensland Media Club, he was interrupted by a man who burst onto the stage with a placard saying “no new coal or gas”.

He chanted protests and Dr Chalmers paused his speech before the man was led away through a side door.

As Dr Chalmers resumed, a woman appeared on the stage with another placard.

She was also quickly moved away from the stage.

Protester Paul Gabbert is moved away from Treasurer Jim Chalmers after interrupting a pre-Budget speech at the Brisbane Media Club.

Dr Chalmers resumed his speech without acknowledging the interruption, moving onto the impacts of Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“In a world of retaliation and escalation the impacts of tariffs are amplified,” he said.

Anti-coal group Rising Tide has claimed responsibility for gate crashing the event.

The group, which bills itself as fighting against Australia’s “fossil fuel addiction”, posted a video to Facebook congratulating two “legends” for disrupting the event.

In a press release, Rising Tide identified the protesters as Paul Gabbert, 63, and a student named Clancy.

“While we welcome the Federal Government providing $1.2 billion to help pay for the recovery effort from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, these costs on the taxpayer will keep going up unless they stop making the problem worse by approving new coal and gas projects,” Mr Gabbert was quoted.

“Since the Albanese Government came to power, after the devastating floods of 2022, they have approved 19 fossil fuel projects that are turbocharging the climate crisis, making unnatural disasters like cyclones, fires, floods, and heatwaves worse.”

At the end of question time, The Australian reporter Sarah Elks addressed the elephant in the room by asking the Treasurer if the government would consider stopping coal and gas projects, as pushed by the two protesters.

“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to reward that kind of behaviour by asking their questions for them,” Dr Chalmers said.

When pressed for a response, he said the government approved a record number of renewable projects but had to also balance economic and community implications.

He said gas had a role in a net zero transition as Australia capitalised on its natural strengths.

“I know that there’s a range of views at one end and at the other end we are a responsible middle of the road government which takes decisions based on merit,” he said.

Originally published as Environmental protesters interrupt Jim Chalmers’ speech at Queensland Media Club