Rachel Coffey: ABC producer let off over climate change protest

An ABC producer glued herself to a busy Melbourne CBD road during a climate protest that caused chaos, a court has heard.

Extinction Rebellion Victoria hold a protest outside Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. Picture: David Crosling

An ABC producer and five other “good citizens” have avoided convictions for obstructing traffic after gluing themselves to a busy Melbourne CBD road during a climate protest, a court has heard.

Gardening Australia field producer Rachel Coffey was among five protesters who were arrested and charged after gluing their bodies to the intersection of Flinders and Swanson streets on March 25.

Ms Coffey, education consultant Rosemary Gooch, chair of the Women’s Mental Health Alliance Mischa Barr, Roberta Lynn Atkinson, Bronwyn Plarre and Manu Urruty Weisfelt said they shared a common goal of highlighting the “drastic need for action on climate change”.

The six women faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for a directions hearing after negotiations between police and barrister Daniel Cash, who was representing the group pro bono, stalled.

The ABC was contacted for comment but did not respond to questions on whether any action would be taken against Ms Coffey.

Gardening Australia field producer Rachel Coffey pleaded guilty to obstructing a roadway during the Extinction Rebellion protests.

Prosecuting Sergeant Eva Semertzidis told the court the women were charged over the “excessive use of the highway” which forced police to stop trams, buses and cars from going about their normal business.

“Victoria police take no issue with protesters exercising their rights,” she said.

“The charges stem from the unreasonable restriction of free movement on a roadway.”

She said it took police more than an hour to remove the women safely from the road which required deployment of “significant” resources including Ambulance Victoria.

The incident occurred during the week-long “autumn rebellion” event organised by climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion which called for the Victorian government to declare a climate and ecological emergency.

All six women accepted responsibility and were placed on a diversion notice without conviction.

Extinction Rebellion protesters shut down trams and cause traffic chaos on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets in Melbourne's CBD. Picture: Facebook

Handing down the notice, magistrate Pauline Spencer said it was in the public interest that these “good citizens” did not have convictions recorded against them.

“Bearing in mind these are good citizens giving their time to the community in terms of their activism,”she said.

“If you accept responsibility, there is no finding against you and, after a donation to the court fund is received, the matter is marked discharged without a criminal record.”

Mr Cash thanked the court saying his clients were relieved to have the matters “over and done with”.

They will be required to donate $100 to the court fund — a charitable endeavour which distributes money to welfare organisations.

The matter will return to court on October 19 to confirm if the donation has been paid.