Australian PM Threatens To Outlaw Radical Climate Protests That Threaten The Economy

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday threatened to outlaw climate protests, accusing them of increasingly disrupting the country’s lucrative mining industry.

The conservative head of Australia’s government has described climate protesters as a “new breed of radical activism.” Critics have accused Scott Morrison of trying to weaken fundamental rights in the country.

“We are working to identify serious mechanisms that can successfully outlaw these indulgent and selfish practices that threaten the livelihoods of fellow Australians,” Morrison said.

His proposal comes a day after protesters attempted to blockade a mining conference in Melbourne, which at one point triggered clashes with police.

Extinction Rebellion protesters in Melbourne

“The right to protest does not mean there is an unlimited license to disrupt people’s lives and disrespect your fellow Australians,” Morrison said.

Morrison, who won a surprise electoral victory earlier this year, has refused to take steps to curb emissions from the coal mining industry in Australia. He is renowned for bringing coal to a parliamentary session in a show of support for the carbon-intensive resource.