Climate activist who graffitied Tanya Plibersek’s office says he stands by his actions
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Environment minister said vandalism and intimidation were ‘completely unacceptable’. A climate activist who graffitied the word “liar” on the federal environment minister’s office has stood by his highly publicised actions, urging the public to stand up for their beliefs.
Zachary “Zack” Edward Jaworowski Schofield took a can of red spray paint to Tanya Plibersek’s Sydney electorate office in December. The events were filmed and broadcast on social media by Rising Tide, the activist group behind a high-profile coal port blockade in November that led to more than 100 arrests.
Schofield handed himself in after flagging with the media his intention to attend a local police station, a move that was also filmed and uploaded to social media. The 25-year-old was charged with trespassing and destroying or damaging property, and he appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Monday.
The Ashfield man told reporters he took full responsibility for his actions, which he said were partially spurred by comments made by Plibersek on Instagram that the Albanese government had not approved any new coalmines in 2024. “Under her watch, she’s approved seven,” he said, referring to a string of mine extensions that were given the tick of approval.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email. They include MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant mine, Ashton Coal Operations’ Ravensworth mine, Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri mine and Idemitsu’s Boggabri mine in New South Wales. In Queensland, the federal government green-lit expansions for BHP Mitsubishi’s Caval Ridge mine, Jellinbah Group’s Lake Vermont Meadowbrook coal project and Vitrinite’s Vulcan South coalmine.
