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MEDIA ALERT: Anti-protest charges against climate activists crumble as police abandon and fail in Rising Tide prosecutions

Climate Defenders Australia

17 June 2026

 

Police have dropped, or have failed to proceed with, charges against three climate activists facing trial this week over the 2024 Rising Tide People’s Blockade of the Port of Newcastle, the world’s largest coal export port.

 

Black Summer volunteer firefighter Dr Evan Christen appeared before Judge Scott Nash at Newcastle Local Court Tuesday on a charge under the Marine Safety Act. He was not convicted and received no penalty.

 

“I’m relieved this is over, but the charges should never have been laid in the first place,” said Dr Christen. “I went to Newcastle because the climate science is clear and our government keeps looking away.”

 

A more serious charge brought under the anti-protest provision introduced by the Perrottet government, which carries a maximum penalty of a $22,000 fine or two years’ imprisonment, had been dropped by police one week earlier.

 

The anti-protest provision had already been successfully defeated by other Rising Tide protesters in October 2025, with police ordered to pay $73,000 in costs.

 

“How many more cases must police run unsuccessfully before they do what is right?” says Dr Josh Pallas Legal Director at Climate Defender Australia, a legal firm who represent prosecuted climate activists including Dr Christen. “All outstanding 2024 Rising Tide charges should be withdrawn.”

 

Meanwhile, Shannan Langford Salisbury had all charges against her withdrawn on 16 June after police could not locate the arresting officer required to prove their case.

 

“I shouldn’t have had to spend eighteen months waiting for police to admit they couldn’t make their case. People have a right to protest. That right matters,” said Ms Langford Salisbury.

 

Rachel Evans faced a two day hearing which wrapped up Wednesday on a single remaining charge under the Marine Safety Act after police withdrew the anti-protest charge last minute, conceding they had no video evidence placing her in the water. A “no case to answer” submission succeeded before the court so the charge was dismissed.

 

“Police had no evidence. They knew it, and yet the process itself became the punishment — months of uncertainty, legal costs, and stress. If this is how the state responds to peaceful protest, something has gone very wrong. The state should be fighting the climate crisis instead!””

 

The three climate activists were among 129 people charged over the November 2024 blockade, in which people paddled kayaks and canoes into the shipping channel at Newcastle to protest Australia’s continued coal exports and the fossil fuel’s impact on the climate.

 

“These cases should never have had to proceed. Our clients have been punished enough through the legal process itself — and the public has been asked to foot the bill for a prosecution strategy that is clearly falling apart,” Dr Pallas said.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Dr Josh Pallas — 0458 605 281

 

—ENDS—

 

BACKGROUND

•  The Rising Tide People’s Blockade took place in November 2024 at the Port of Newcastle, NSW. Activists used kayaks and canoes to blockade the shipping channel in protest at Australia’s coal exports. 129 people were charged.

 

•  Section 214A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) is an anti-protest provision introduced by the Perrottet government. It criminalises serious obstruction of a major facility, carrying a maximum penalty of a $22,000 fine and/or two years’ imprisonment.

 

•  In October 2025, four other protesters successfully challenged section 214A charges arising from the same blockade. Police were subsequently ordered to pay $73,000 in costs to the Rising Tide legal team: risingtide.org.au/police_ordered_to_pay_73000_in_costs

 

•  Climate Defenders Australia has been calling for police to drop all outstanding charges since October 2025.

Contact details:

Dr Josh Pallas — 0458 605 281