In his recent remarks condemning Dr. Ross Kerridge’s support of the Rising Tide protestors, Liberal Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Callum Pull, raises serious concerns about the new independent mayor’s leadership and his lack of resolve in dealing with disruptive, law-breaking protest groups.
Rising Tide has earned a reputation for its reckless actions that have directly impacted Newcastle’s local economy. From stopping coal trains to blocking our harbor, their tactics have not only disrupted everyday life but also placed our emergency services at risk. It’s clear that such actions are not harmless acts of civil disobedience; they are intentional disruptions with real-world consequences.
Cr. Pull’s alignment with Police Minister Yasmin Catley’s comments that protestors are putting emergency service workers, especially police, in harm’s way is well founded. He states, “It is absolutely selfish of people to be putting our emergency service workers, particularly our police lives, at risk, all because they want to have a Facebook post.” These protestors, by their own admission, are more interested in grabbing headlines than fostering genuine change.
What’s even more alarming is Dr. Kerridge’s apparent endorsement of these actions. As the new independent mayor, Kerridge should be showing leadership and firm resolve, especially when it comes to law and order. Yet, by supporting the protestors—despite their repeated illegal activities—he’s essentially endorsing chaos and disobedience.
Pull is absolutely right to call out the mayor’s weak, equivocal response. As he puts it, “These people disrupt our local economy and force the closure of train lines and ports,” adding that such protests “put lives at risk and put police at risk who then have to deal with them.” While Kerridge may attempt to present a more moderate stance, history has shown that protest groups like Rising Tide only escalate their radical behaviour when given a platform. Encouraging protestors to “stay within the law” sounds nice in theory, but it’s an empty gesture when the group’s actions tell a very different story. It’s naive at best, and dangerously irresponsible at worst, for the Mayor to offer any semblance of support.
The real issue here is leadership. When Kerridge’s office appears to side with those willing to break the law for attention, it weakens the authority of the office and undermines the safety of our community. Pull has it right: “The City of Newcastle and the Lord Mayor should not in any way be supporting this protest. By supporting this action against police advice, the Lord Mayor must accept full responsibility for their actions.” The Lord Mayor’s weak stance does not reflect the majority of Newcastle’s citizens who simply want to go about their daily lives without interruption. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Pull’s condemnation of Kerridge is justified—Newcastle’s leadership should be focused on maintaining order, not pandering to activists who see disruption as their primary tactic.
It’s time for Dr. Kerridge to recognize the risks his actions pose to our city’s economy, safety, and law enforcement. As Pull says, “The event organisers are now claiming that they will discourage attendees from breaking the law, but past experience shows this has had no impact on the radicals who continually stop trains and block the harbour.” If Kerridge is not prepared to take a firm stance against lawlessness, he risks further alienating those who depend on stability and responsible governance in Newcastle. Let’s hope he realizes that a truly responsible leader is one who can balance activism with the needs of the community, and not simply bend to every loud voice that demands attention.
