Andrew George: Climate activist pleads guilty to letting off flare at NRL Sharks vs Tigers Game

A climate change activist who ran onto the field of an NRL clash and lit a flare has been sentenced to jail. The court heard he bizarrely told police officers on his arrest that he was “Gina Rinehart”.

A protester who ran onto the pitch of the NRL game between the Sharks and Tigers and let off a flare has been jailed for three months.

Andrew George, 32, of Russell Lea, pleaded guilty in Sutherland Local to entering enclosed land without lawful excuse and possess a bright light distress signal in a public place.

He told a court the disruption he caused was nothing compared to the climate crisis facing Australia.

George with the lit flare on the field. Picture: Getty Images

He appeared without a lawyer via AVL video from custody, wearing a red shirt with the words “Fireproof Australia,” a climate activist group known for blocking major roads and obstructing traffic across Sydney.

Play was paused for several minutes of incredible scenes on Sunday afternoon. George got within touching distance of players before being tackled to the ground amid towering orange smoke.

George told the court he was unemployed but was “working as a volunteer to protect the community full-time” and had learned a lot about climate change through studying mechanical engineering and urban horticulture.

Reading from agreed facts, magistrate Phillip Stewart told the court George said “I’m Gina Rinehart,” likely referring to the Australian mining magnate, when police asked who he was as they arrested him. He then said: “you’ll find out who I am when you get my fingerprints.”

George told the court he believed the disruption was “minor”. Picture: Getty Images

Security try extinguish a flare during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

After pleading guilty, George told the court it was “not a fun thing to do”.

“I didn’t want to do that and I don’t want to be causing disruption to stadiums,” George said.

“I know that society has already gone through ha lot of disruption, but that’s the issue I have. Droughts parch football fields, floods have destroy what would have been a relatively normal summer. This is just the surface impact of what we’ve been facing.”

The court heard George saw his disruption as “relatively minor” compared to the disruption that’s already facing the country.

“It’s only going to get worse and we don’t have the tools to protect us,” he said.

“Everything that we love, we won’t be able to enjoy anymore. We won’t enjoy being alive and our kids won’t have food on the table.”

Magistrate Phillip Stewart noted George had been involved in several other protests.

Magistrate Stewart asked George if he felt his protests were escalating in nature, given he lit a flare during a major football game.

George responded that he actually thought the act was of similar levels of seriousness to his previous protests.

“I used an emergency signal because we are in an emergency,” he said.

During sentencing, Magistrate Stewart told the court George’s justification for what his actions led him to believe he’s likely to disregard the law again to achieve he’s purpose.

“He’s prepared to be arrested and he expects to be punished,” Magistrate Stewart said.

“There needs to be a strong message sent to the community and to the offender. No penalty other than prison is appropriate. He’s not remorseful at all, rather his actions deliberate and calculated.”

Magistrate Stewart said he was not convinced the community would be protected if he served the sentence in the community, adding “I have no doubt he will reoffend to achieve the publicity he desires.”

George will be released on July 9.