Climate activist Emma Jade Dorge faces Lismore court arguing against police reporting condition

A controversial climate protester who suspended themselves above a Sydney railway freight line has been removed from a northern NSW court by sheriffs. Here’s why.

Protester Emma Dorge being dealt with by police/ Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A controversial climate protester who suspended themselves above a railway freight line has been removed from a court by sheriffs after failing to have sentencing conditions relaxed.

Emma Dorge, 27, faced Lismore Local Court on Friday to contest the condition they must report to Lismore Police Station once a week.

Dorge was placed on a 12 month conditional release order in December 2022.

Dorge pleaded guilty and was convicted of obstructing a railway locomotive or rolling stock, remaining in enclosed land without lawful excuse and refusing to comply with police directions on March 25 last year.

Emma Dorge during the protest. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Dorge took part in an unauthorised protest with environmental group Blockade Australia, suspending themselves above the tracks on Qantas Dr at Tempe, about three metres high, disrupting a freight line to Port Botany in the southeast of Sydney.

Authorities stopped trains and Dorge did not comply with police demands.

Officers had to use an excavator to lower Dorge to the ground.

Dorge, who asked media to use they/them pronouns, and other protesters livestreamed the protest in a bid to draw attention to climate change.

A letter by Dorge was tendered about re-engaging with nursing and relocating to Lismore.

Dorge, who appeared without a lawyer, argued they were not a danger to the public and should not have to report to Lismore Police Station as part of conditional release.

“Why should I have to come to Lismore Police Station to report when I don’t live here?” they said.

Police argued Dorge had access to Newcastle and Sydney and proved to be a danger to the community.

Dorge yelled at the prosecution: “None of my offences are a danger to anybody.”

“I want to be able to visit my friends and my family and because I have to report to Lismore Police Station for three minutes once a week means I can’t see my friends and family,” they said.

Emma Dorge. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Magistrate Michael Dakin told the court he thought that was perhaps the point of the condition due to reasonable concerns about community safety.

Mr Dakin said Dorge was subject to a show cause action in relation to bail and needed to demonstrate a change of circumstances if they wanted conditions changed.

“Why am I a danger to the community? I want to know why,” Dorge said

A heated exchange erupted over what constituted “danger to the community”.

Dorge’s friend weighed in from the public gallery as he watched on.

“This is ridiculous, we want all the police documents,” he said.

Mr Dakin scolded Dorge: “You don’t think any condition is reasonable. Your application is refused.”

Dorge yelled about politicisation of the court system and demanded to know why police considered them a danger to the community.

“I won’t be able to see my friends and family. This is really distressing,” they said.

Dorge continued to argue with both the prosecution and Mr Dakin

“I’ve told you four times now – your application is refused,” Mr Dakin said.

A sheriff was called to remove an irate Dorge from the courtroom.

Dorge was due to return to the court for a hearing on August 23.