NSW Government’s increased penalties for railways obstruction welcome

The NSW Minerals Council welcomes the NSW Government’s decision to strengthen penalties for those who intentionally obstruct railway lines in NSW.

“This is a sensible decision that will help deter illegal activities that put people in danger,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said today.

“The right to protest is important in our democracy, but it should be done safely and legally, with minimum inconvenience to others.”

As recently as July this year, activists and extremists illegally disrupted the Hunter rail line for nearly two weeks, putting themselves and others in real danger, and causing significant disruption to local passenger rail services.

Over 700 passenger services were cancelled as a result of these illegal and dangerous activities, with locals forced to use buses provided by the NSW Government at additional cost to taxpayers.

Extra Police were required to keep the rail line open, and Emergency Services personnel were redirected from regular duties to remove the protesters and dismantle their illegal barricades.

This decision also aligns penalties for obstructing railways with penalties for obstructing roads, tunnels and bridges. These penalties were increased in 2022 in response to a spate of illegal activities in Sydney, including the blocking of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel.

Since then, activists have turned their attention to obstructing railways, knowing the existing penalties were much lower for such offences.

“Given most illegal rail line obstructions have occurred in the regions, these increased penalties will now ensure the same level of deterrence for similar offences committed in regional communities and in Sydney,” Mr Galilee said.

“While there will always be a hardcore group of extremists prepared to break the law and put themselves and others at risk, these increased penalties send a strong message to others that doing so will have potentially significant personal consequences.”