The Minns Labor Government has been condemned for its continuing failure to maintain law and order after a weekend of climate activists wreaking havoc in Newcastle resulting in more than 140 arrests.
Activists shut down parts of Newcastle Harbour blocking both commercial vessels and coal ships, even boarding ships.
Shadow Police Minister, Paul Toole, said the mass disruptions including activists scaling vessels, obstructing shipping lanes and forcing coal ships to turn back represented another shocking example of Labor losing control of basic public safety.
"These activists behaved recklessly and selfishly, with zero regard for the law, local workers, or for the economic damage they caused," Mr Toole said.
"Those involved in Rising Tide are ignorant to the family-run businesses that lost a weekend's trade, to the locals who missed important events due to the disruptions, and to the utterly unnecessary chaos created by these selfish individuals.
"They are not heroes; they are irresponsible troublemakers and they should face the full consequences of their actions."
Mr Toole said hardworking families and port-dependent industries should not be forced to shoulder the cost of activist stunts.
"If a ship is turned around or a port is shut down, those responsible should pay for the economic loss. Not the taxpayers, not the workers and not the families who rely on this industry to survive."
Mr Toole also called out the Minns Labor Government for failing to send a clear message that illegal behaviour at critical infrastructure sites will not be tolerated.
"What we're seeing is a paralysed government that is too weak to enforce the law and too timid to back our police."
The Shadow Minister urged the courts to treat the charges seriously.
"We trust that magistrates will deal appropriately with those arrested. There must be real consequences because this simply can't go on."
He said NSW Police had been placed in an unacceptable position this weekend, forced to manage escalating risks due to Labor's reluctance to take decisive action.
"Our police did their job. It's time for the Minns Government to do theirs."
