Protestors Who Cause Cause Traffic Chaos In Australia Will Now Face Massive Fines Or Jail
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Acting NSW Premier Paul Toole has threatened to introduce stricter penalties for demonstrators who cause traffic chaos after two climate protestors held up peak hour traffic in Sydney.
Mr Toole also added that he wanted to see one of the German brothers who protested deported back to their home country.
He said in a statement: "I want him gone. They have no place here in New South Wales to be hosting these protests.
"If he can't abide by our laws, he can go back to Germany because he isn't wanted here".
The German students staged a dangerous protest this week and blocked traffic in Port Botany for two days in a row.
On Tuesday (March 24), one of the brothers, a 21-year-old student, was arrested after suspending himself from a 10-meter pole near the entrance to Port Botany.
The following day, his brother, 23, was taken to Maroubra Police Station after staging a similar protest in the area as he blocked off an intersection.
He was later charged with obstructing a driver's path and not obeying the direction of police or an authorised person.
His protest caused significant traffic blockage towards the Sydney Airport and port area, leading to many road closures and traffic diversions.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews also claimed the two brothers might face deportation following their climate protests.
She told 2GB: "It's an option to be considered for cancelling a visa. No one supports their conduct, it's stupid and they can go home".
Not long after Andrews spoke to 2GB, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled the visas of the two German nationals accused of illegal protests at Port Botany.
BREAKING: Immigration Minister has cancelled the visas of two climate activists who blockaded Port Botany this week on "good order" grounds-they now face detainment and deportation to Germany.
One hung a banner reading, "No Nations, No Borders, Stop Australia's Operation." pic.twitter.com/orx4kjZcXp
- Blockade Australia (@BlockadeAus) March 24, 2022
A spokesperson for Mr Toole also said the NSW government would update legislation that currently only applies to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
A maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $22,000 fine could be issued to anyone who disrupts a bridge or tunnel across Greater Sydney.
According to ABC News, another climate protest disrupted Port Botany traffic when the 32-year-old tied himself to a pole in front of a railway, which caused significant delays.
His protest comes after two women last night were arrested for allegedly using trucks to block a container terminal during peak hour traffic.
Both women were charged with encouraging the carrying on an operation to commit a crime, not obeying police or authorised persons, and preventing free passage of a vehicle.
They will appear at Waverley Local Court next month.
Featured Image Credit: Left Pic/9 News Right Pic/7 News
Topics: climate change, News, Sydney, Australia
