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The TPA has placed restrictions on the Esperanza that mean she will not be able to moor at Townsville port where, this Saturday, she was due to stage a public open boat day to talk to residents about the urgent issue of climate change and renewable energy solutions.
“The TPA has contracts with most of the big coal mining companies, so it’s not really surprising that these corporations would put pressure on the port to stop us docking,” said Greenpeace campaigner Simon Roz. “But it is surprising that the TPA would put the interests of big business over the rights of Townsville residents to visit the Esperanza. Our Energy (R)evolution tour has been very successful: around 5,000 people have visited the Esperanza in the past month, including 650 at Mackay, and we were expecting a turn out of at least 500 people in Townsville.
“TPA have upped their security costs from $1,000 to $13,000 a day. This means we will not be able to have a public open boat in Townsville but we are looking at an alternative site to have an open day, so we can still talk to people. Unfortunately we are not able to ferry large numbers of people to the ship, which will be anchored off Magnetic Island.
“Greenpeace is independent so all our finances come from supporters’ donations. We don’t think paying $13,000 for over the top security is a good use of that money. Greenpeace is never a security risk; ten of our activists were charged with possessing a graffiti implement, that doesn’t warrant $13,000. This is a climate change campaign and Townsville is not a coal port. We have been moored in Sydney and Brisbane, and even the coal ports of Newcastle and Mackay, without any security problems, so what is the TPA worried about?
“The Esperanza belongs to the public – by blocking the ship from coming to Townsville the TPA is putting the interests of big business over the interests of Townsville residents and their right to visit the Esperanza.
“Greenpeace is known for its stance against vested interests that put dollars before people and planet. Protesting is a right that those living in a democracy are able to enjoy. Yet we are being stifled by the TPA. It seems it’s OK to protest about whales but not about the contribution mining companies are making to climate change.”
“The TPA has contracts with most of the big coal mining companies, so it’s not really surprising that these corporations would put pressure on the port to stop us docking,” said Greenpeace campaigner Simon Roz. “But it is surprising that the TPA would put the interests of big business over the rights of Townsville residents to visit the Esperanza. Our Energy (R)evolution tour has been very successful: around 5,000 people have visited the Esperanza in the past month, including 650 at Mackay, and we were expecting a turn out of at least 500 people in Townsville.
“TPA have upped their security costs from $1,000 to $13,000 a day. This means we will not be able to have a public open boat in Townsville but we are looking at an alternative site to have an open day, so we can still talk to people. Unfortunately we are not able to ferry large numbers of people to the ship, which will be anchored off Magnetic Island.
“Greenpeace is independent so all our finances come from supporters’ donations. We don’t think paying $13,000 for over the top security is a good use of that money. Greenpeace is never a security risk; ten of our activists were charged with possessing a graffiti implement, that doesn’t warrant $13,000. This is a climate change campaign and Townsville is not a coal port. We have been moored in Sydney and Brisbane, and even the coal ports of Newcastle and Mackay, without any security problems, so what is the TPA worried about?
“The Esperanza belongs to the public – by blocking the ship from coming to Townsville the TPA is putting the interests of big business over the interests of Townsville residents and their right to visit the Esperanza.
“Greenpeace is known for its stance against vested interests that put dollars before people and planet. Protesting is a right that those living in a democracy are able to enjoy. Yet we are being stifled by the TPA. It seems it’s OK to protest about whales but not about the contribution mining companies are making to climate change.”
For further information or comment
For more information contact: Louise Clifton Greenpeace communications officer: 0438 204041 Simon Roz Greenpeace campaigner: 0408 011177
