Rising Tide Media Releases

Climate activists crash Albanese press conference at Maitland hospital, demanding no new coal and gas

3rd April 2025

Climate activists from Rising Tide interrupted the Prime Minister’s press conference at Maitland Hospital this afternoon, demanding an end to new coal and gas projects. 42-year-old, Naomi could be heard asking Mr Albanese: “Mr Albanese, your government has approved 33 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. When will you stop approving new coal and gas projects? The climate crisis is the greatest health threat to Australia’s future.”

19-year-old from Picolbin, Ivy also interrupted the press conference saying: “This is my future on the line, I want a safe world to raise my future children.”

In response, the Prime Minister said "We want to make sure as the transition happens - we have established a net zero authority - what that’s about is making sure no community gets left behind. We support the coal industry."

This is the 6th time that Rising Tide protestors have interrupted press conferences from the leaders of both major parties in the last few weeks. They’ve posed questions to Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor about the viability of their nuclear energy plans, and have asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers and now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Labor will stop approving new coal and gas projects. 

Naomi said: “We’re in a climate crisis, and are feeling the impacts now in Australia. The Labor government claims to be strong on climate and yet since being in office they have approved 33 new coal and gas projects, turbocharging the climate crisis, making unnatural disasters like cyclones, fires, floods, and heatwaves worse.”

“Both major parties need to start heeding the dire warnings of the science and present Australians with a real plan to tackle the climate crisis. Labor tries to claim they are strong on climate, yet they continue pouring fuel on the fire by approving new coal and gas projects. It is simply not good enough.”

Rising Tide is a grassroots climate movement of everyday people demanding Australia honours our commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

See more footage on photos on Rising Tide’s Facebook, Instagram, X and Bluesky

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