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Judge 'merciful' on anti-Adani activist's train-stopping antics
Words: Lea EmeryProducer: Simone Kealy
A youth justice worker who locked herself to a train near the controversial Adani Carmichael coal mine has been backed by a colourful bunch of protesters at her court appearance.
On November 15 last year, Byrnes used wires and clips to secure her arms to the 18th carriage of a train waiting to go to the Abbot Point port.
The 61-year-old delayed the train for more than three hours. The wait cost more than $300,000.
Byrnes pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to four charges, including using a dangerous attachment device, trespass and interfere with a railway.
While Byrnes was being sentenced a small group of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, waving banners and playing We Shall Not Be Moved on a saxophone.
Defence lawyer Rachel Barnes said Byrnes had tried other means of protest such as writing to the state government and Bravus, formally Adani.“She does feel it was the only action she could take," she said.
Magistrate Mark Howden placed Byrnes on a $3000 good behaviour bond for 18 months. No conviction was recorded.
Outside of court, Byrnes was greeted by claps and cheers from supporters. “A lot of people have sacrificed a lot to actually stop this mine,” she said.
Byrnes said she was “not likely” to do something similar and said the magistrate was “very merciful in this case”.
Bowen Rail Company general manager Brendan Lane said protesters seemed oblivious to the dangers they placed themselves in.“What this protester did was incredibly selfish,” he said.
He said the protester who helped Byrnes lock on to the train should “take a hard look at themselves” for putting another person’s life at risk.
Adani Australia chief executive and country head Lucas Dow said the state government lost enough money in coal royalties to pay for 45 nurses’ annual salaries each time anti-fossil fuel activists blocked railway lines and stopped trains in the Bowen Basin.
																											

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