Matt not so keen on Extinction Rebellion endorsement

A prominent NSW minister has been forced to condemn Extinction Rebellion after the protest group endorsed him in a secret strategy meeting.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has been forced to condemn Extinction Rebellion after the group gave him their tick of approval in a secret strategy meeting that also discussed inflicting “sustained disruption” in the lead-up to the federal election, overthrowing capitalism and using a change of government to stack the public service.

In the 90-minute session held earlier this month and seen by The Daily Telegraph, Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Larissa Payne said that electing “climate friendly” candidates makes it “easier for people like Matt Kean or (federal MP) Tony Burke to win arguments against fossil fuel advocates in their own parties.”

Extinction Rebellion protesters blockading Sydney’s CBD. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Ms Payne and other activists also enthusiastically discussed the need to overthrow the free market system, be an “absolute nightmare” for mainstream politicians and replace parliamentary democracy with so-called “citizens assemblies”.

The group also made clear they would demand Australia move to net zero carbon emissions by 2025, less than three years away.

“We know for sure and certain that colonialism, imperialism and capitalism are all working parts of the same toxic system and are the root cause of the climate and ecological crisis.”

“The only way to avoid climate collapse is to move away from the economic model based on perpetual growth — human civilisation cannot survive the capitalist models,” she said.

Extinction Rebellion protesters during a Global Day of Action for Climate rally in Hyde Park, Sydney. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

While opposed to both major parties, several participants suggested that Extinction Rebellion should back Greens and independents at the May election so they could leverage their power with a minority government.

“A block of climate-friendly MPs could hold significant negotiation power … so we can have our demands met,” Ms Payne said.

In another part of the presentation, activists also discussed a variety of “code red” actions including holding more school strikes, dumping cow manure and vandalising campaign posters of MPs and senators not aligned to their movement.

Extinction Rebellion protesters targeting the Independent Planning Commission at their Elizabeth St building in Sydney, with some protesters glueing their hands to the glass windows inside the foyer. Picture: Toby Zerna

We need “confronting and artistic, newsworthy actions,” Extinction Rebellion activist Jane Morton said.

“The system is broken and elections are not going to save us,” said activist Coralie Boulet.

In recent years Extinction Rebellion activists in Australia and around the world have glued themselves to roads, climbed onto trains and engaged in a variety of high profile dangerous stunts to make their point.

“I strongly condemn the actions of any group that deliberately disrupts the lives of people in NSW, whoever they claim to support to get exposure in the media,” said Mr Kean.

Extreme groups on the left and right often try to associate themselves with public figures to get media attention and I am not going to indulge their nonsense or associate with them,” he said.