Police issue fine to driver who rammed protesters with car in Sydney CBD

The man who rammed his car into a crowd of climate protesters has received a penalty from police.

Protesters have hit Sydney’s streets for a second day in a row as part of a scheduled week-long disruption to demand action on climate change.

A smaller crowd of protesters congregated at Hyde Park and Woolloomooloo on Tuesday morning.

Just after 8am, emergency services were called to the intersection of William and Palmer St following reports a group had gathered on the road and was causing traffic disruptions.

Police made multiple arrests and charges are anticipated.

A message sent out via an instant messaging group chat set off a mass dispersion at Hyde Park around 9am.

Police were quick to shut down protesters marching through the CBD on Macquarie St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

Protesters could be heard yelling the word “spaghetti” in unison moments before they separated, bringing an end to the day’s protest action.

A 31-year-old man from Bondi has been issued with a fine for negligent driving after he drove into a crowd of protesters at the intersection of Bridge and Loftus Sts during Monday’s protest action.

The shocking moment was captured in an aerial video in which the motorist drives at speed into the intersection, grazing two men in high-vis vests.

The Bondi man received a $469 fine and lost three demerit points.

There have been no reports of injuries as a result of the incident.

Morning commuters faced major delays on Monday as one protester blocked southbound lanes into the Harbour Tunnel, grinding traffic to a halt.

Protesters yelled ‘spaghetti’ – a code word to disperse – bringing an end to protests on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The police presence was strengthened following Monday’s protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A crowd of around 60 marched through the CBD at pace, throwing blocks of concrete, wheelie bins, barricades and bikes onto the road.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is putting his faith in harsher protest laws to crack down on the climate protesters.

Speaking on 2GB radio station on Tuesday morning, Mr Perrottet warned protesters wouldn’t stop “until an example is made of them”.

“It can’t go on for much longer; these people are dumb, divisive, disrespectful and they’re bloody idiots who will face the full force of the law,” Perrottet told 2GB.

A protester in Hyde Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Protests are expected to continue for the rest of the week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Legislation passed through parliament in April increased the penalties for unauthorised protests to a maximum of two years’ jail time and up to $22,000 in fines.

“We have increased the penalty substantially and these protesters will be facing up to two years’ imprisonment,” Mr Perrottet said.

However, despite multiple arrests since the laws were enacted, no one has faced the maximum penalties.

“This behaviour has not been deterred, but has continued,” Mr Perrottet said.

Premier Dom Perrottet has warned protesters will face harsh penalties for participating in the ‘unauthorised’ protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“These protesters need to stop and they won’t stop until an example is made of them.

“They believe they are a law unto themselves.”

Ten protesters from across NSW, Victoria and Queensland were arrested on Monday and have since been charged.

Mr Perrottet said the police presence has already been bolstered in preparation for more protest action this week.

“I have full confidence in the police force that when these incidents occur, that they will clear the scene as quickly as possible and make the arrests,” Mr Perrottet said.

It is expected protesters will return each day for the rest of the week as part of a scheduled period of mass disruption.