The purpose of #Breakfree16 was to call for action on climate change globally, to break free from reliance on fossil fuels and rapidly transition to renewable energy. The messages expressed by activists during #BreakFree16 in Newcastle included the need to: wind back coal use, stop new coal mines, reinforce that coal mining is a local as well as global issue through the contribution of coal production and consumption to global warming, highlight the threat of rising sea levels on nations in the Pacific islands, support cultural survival, protect the environment for future generations, contest vested interests and power associated with the coal industry, and move the debate from the dichotomy of jobs verses environment.

The actions were supported by numerous groups and individuals including Break Free Australia, Greenpeace, 350.org, The Pacific Climate Warriors, Climate Angels, and The Greens political party. Pacific Island Nations have expressed frustration at Australia’s lack of commitment to mitigating climate change and the plight of their islands that are already affected by rising sea levels and extreme weather events. As a result Pacific Island Nations were central to the protest and five wooden canoes from Tonga, Vanuatu, Tokelau, Fiji and the Solomon Islands were part of the blockade (Connell 2016).

The day and location were both significant. The day marked the commencement of the 2016 Federal election campaign where the Liberal government was fighting for re-election, and successfully elected in July, regardless of their pro-coal agenda. The Greens leader Richard Di Natale attended the protest and noted that Bill Shorten, the leader of the Labor Party, was “out at a mine kicking off this election campaign” (Connell, Carr, Kirkwood 2016). The Port of Newcastle is the largest coal export port in the world. The export coal industry generates $54.6 billion in Australia and directly employs around 28,000 people (Franks et al 2010) and $13.2 billion in New South Wales (NSW Government 2016). It is also the site of the first export of any product in Australia, which was coal in 1799, only 11 years after “settlement” (New South Wales Minerals Council 2013). This provides an indication of the long term and significant entrenchment of coal in Australia’s infrastructure and economy.

Resources and economic value

- In 2015/16 coal exports were a record 159 million tonnes

- In 2015/16 coal exports were valued at $13.2 billion

(NSW Government 2016)

Overview information provided by the Port of Newcastle:

- 216 years of commercial shipping

- Operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year

- More than 25 different cargoes

- 2,169 vessel visits for 2014

- 20 operational berths

- Total land holdings of 792 hectares, including 200 hectares of vacant port land available for development

- River port with a tidal range of 2 metres

- Main channel depth of 15.2 metres

(Port of Newcastle (a) 2014)