Blockade Australia protesters return to Port Botany

Police have vowed to “ramp up” measures at Port Botany to prevent a third day of protests by climate activist group Blockade Australia.

Police will bolster security at Port Botany to stop Blockade Australia protesters from striking again after two days of mayhem in Sydney’s south.
A second protester was arrested on Wednesday after suspending himself from a pole at the entrance to the port – a day after another Blockade activist was arrested over a similar stunt.
Police Superintendent Tim Beattie confirmed on Wednesday that security would be beefed up with strategies in place to prevent more action.

A second day of protests at Port Botany has ended in the arrest of another protester.

“It’s important we work with the NSW Border Authorities,” Supt Beattie said.

“We have a number of strategies in place and resources available. We are certainly going to be ramping those up”.
A 22-year-old man arrested today wasn’t carrying identification and is yet to be formally identified.

Police believe there may be up to 10 other protesters involved in today’s rally.

Former Police Minister David Elliott took a veiled swipe at his successor this morning over the government’s response to two days of protests at Port Botany.

Mr Elliott has also called for the government to “ensure the punishment fits the crime” for people who cause traffic chaos.

It comes after Police Minister Paul Toole stopped short of promising any new punishments for protesters and simply declared he was in “discussions” with colleagues about strengthening offences.

A heavy police presence at the scene of the protest as officers figured out how to bring the man blocking the port’s freight road back down to earth.

Police seen working out how to bring the suspended protester down- have since arrested the man.

Mr Toole — also the acting premier— has called on the Australian Border Force to deport two of the alleged protesters — German students.

He said he had spoken to NSW Police and Border Force Police about having the two German nationals, who he said were brothers, kicked out of the country.

“Today I’ve been talking with the NSW Police Force who have been talking to Border (Force) Police here in the state to ensure that they be sent back home,” he said on Tuesday afternoon.

“I want them deported. They have no place here in New South Wales to be hosting these protests and to be putting people’s lives and their businesses at risk.”

Mr Toole said the Australian Border Force were currently assessing the move.

“They’re not studying (here) clearly to me. They’re more interested in protesting and causing huge disruptions here in the state,” he said.

“My message for them is you’re not wanting to go back home and we’re going to send you deported back to Germany.”

It marks the second time in as many days Port Botany’s operations have been disrupted by Blockade Australia protests.

Police are now looking at ways to beef-up security and stop further protests from disrupting work at the port.

A 23-year-old Victorian man was arrested on Tuesday after he was suspended on a nine-metre pole erected by Blockade Australia activists at Port Botany, blocking traffic in all directions.

Bonde spent a long day in custody at Maroubra Police Station before being charged with one count of ­obstructing traffic and ­another of failing to comply with police direction.

He was granted police bail and ordered to face court in April.

A Blockade Australia activist suspended himself up a nine-metre pole overhanging traffic in Port Botany on Tuesday.

Following Tuesday’s protest, One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham called for “public nuisance and disruption laws” which would see protesters who deliberately cause harm to others in their movements and economic opportunities face a mandatory 12-month jail term.

Labor’s police spokesman has also insisted on tougher penalties for similar protests.

“The government should throw the book at these blockheads,” Walt Secord said. “If the Perrottet government wants to propose tough sensible laws that retain and protect the right to lawful protest, but target these blockheads and fools, NSW Labor will consider them in true bipartisan spirit.”

Freight trucks were forced to a standstill, with traffic reaching back to General Holmes Dr and the M1. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Another group of “disruptive” activists blocked traffic from the northern beaches to the city not once, but twice.

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman has requested a review of current penalties. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

After a similar protest on the Spit Bridge on March 14, Attorney-General Mark Speakman asked his department for an “urgent brief” on existing offences “and any need for tougher penalties”.

“I want to make sure that laws offer an effective deterrent for people who cause mayhem,” Mr Speakman told The Daily Telegraph.

He is set to receive the findings within days. Yesterday’s action is the latest economically destructive action taken by Blockade Australia, after the group took part in a rolling series of blockades on Hunter railway lines late last year resulting in delays to millions of dollars worth of freight.

Andrew Pandelis said he was 30 minutes late to work yesterday after the climate protest sparked traffic chaos around Port Botany.

“I came from Kogarah way and … the traffic just literally stopped moving,” Mr Pandelis said. “About four or five of our staff were stuck in the traffic as well and late getting to work so yeah, it was pretty inconvenient.”