Extinction Rebellion protester Eric Serge Herbert lives life of luxury in parents’ Sunshine Coast mansion
Meet the young man arrested multiple times over protests that caused chaos in Brisbane’s CBD, who fights coal by day and stays at his parents’ digs – which leaves a mansion-sized carbon footprint – each night. SEE INSIDE HIS LIFE OF LUXURY
QLD News
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WHEN climate change activist Eric Serge Herbert isn’t supergluing himself to Brisbane CBD roads or spending nights in the watch house he lives a life many could only dream of.
The 20-year-old university dropout has become the face of activist group, Extinction Rebellion.
But when he hangs up his placard and superglue for the day Herbert lives at his parents’ five bedroom, four bathroom, three-car garage mansion, complete with freestanding aquarium, a VacuMaid and infinity pool, on the Sunshine Coast.
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The average Australian household emits 14 tonnes (14,000kg) of carbon emissions per year.
Carbon emission experts say it is impossible to calculate the exact carbon footprint of a household without specific details on how the family live, but do concede, the larger the household, the larger the emissions.
Herbert, a former school captain at the prestigious Unity College, had been living in Sydney, studying nanoscience at the University of NSW, but dropped out in April to become a full-time activist.
Since then he has been arrested five times, for offences including gluing himself to a busy street, blocking a bridge with a canoe and blocking the entrance to the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
He has been fined $2050 and spent several nights in the Brisbane watchhouse, some for refusing to sign bail documents.
In his first court appearance Herbert represented himself and told a Brisbane Magistrate he lived with his parents, who supported him and his activism.
Their address is also listed as his place of residence on court and bail documents.
Despite this, Herbert has claimed on social media he does not live with his parents and has started an online fundraiser to pay for his, and his fellow group members’, fines.
Herbert is unemployed, but has recently hired a publicist to deal with increased media interest in his escapades.
Calls and messages to the publicist went unanswered.
On Facebook Herbert urges others to join him in “rebellion”, posting videos and photos of Brisbane CBD protests.
“I am truly sorry that this has to happen, I don’t want to have to sacrifice my liberties or studies to do this but if not me then who? you? I don’t want to disrupt your day but if we don’t stand together we will die apart along with all other life on earth. The time is now. This is how we win. We must not go quietly into the night, we must rebel against being dead and the death of our loved ones. I do this with love for you, your children and all life on this earth,” he posted on Facebook.
Herbert, a three-time recipient of the principal’s award at his former prestigious school, is a triplet and one of five children.
His triplet sisters, Elisha and Renee Herbert are models who travel the globe and have amassed 2.8 million followers between them.
The two confessed in a recent online interview that their “very smart” brother did not approve of their careers and never posed for photos with them.
The two also campaign for environmental causes, including ‘save the reef’ and ‘save the rhinos’, but enjoy a luxurious lifestyle complete with designer threads, private planes and poolside cocktails.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, head of media, Dan Petrie said the ongoing protests had a significant impact on the economy.
“Brisbane already faces productivity losses of $2.5 million per day according to telematics data and this number effectively swells to more than $3 million when tactics aimed at deliberately disrupting traffic are factored in,” he said.
He said small businesses would have reduced hours, which means workers would lose hours, doctors have to reschedule lifesaving appointments, and parents would have to make alternate plans for childcare.
“This is illegal obstruction of people trying to go about their daily lives and an unacceptable level of economic vandalism being inflicted on the CBD,” he said.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said each time these “left wing extremists” hold up intersections in the CBD or glue themselves to the road, they are costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.
Extinction Rebellion held activist training workshops in Brisbane yesterday, plan to protest in Byron Bay on Sunday and are ramping up for a massive demonstration in the CBD on August 6 for “Rebellion Day”.
ERIC SERGE HERBERT IN COURT:
June 17 - Glued himself to a city street, $550 fine, no conviction
June 26 - Blocked Victoria Bridge with a canoe, $600 fine, no conviction
July 11 - Blocked the entrance to Brisbane Magistrates Court, $400 fine, conviction recorded
July 15 - Blocking streets in CBD, $500 fine, no conviction
July 17 - Public nuisance, released on bail with 5km radius no-go zone around Queen St Mall, court adjourned to July 31
Originally published as Extinction Rebellion protester Eric Serge Herbert lives life of luxury in parents’ Sunshine Coast mansion
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