Newcastle, Australia – On the morning of March 25, 2026, climate activists from Rising Tide painted “TAX ME” in chalk on a coal ship named CLIMATE RESPECT while it was being loaded at Newcastle port. The group demanded the federal government implement a 78% coal export profits tax to support communities and industries transitioning away from coal.

This marked the second time Rising Tide targeted a coal ship, following a similar protest in October 2025 on CLIMATE JUSTICE. Rising Tide cited recent spikes in coal prices, boosted by global events, which could lead to major windfall profits for companies such as Glencore and Yancoal.

The action coincides with government discussions on windfall taxes for coal and gas profits. The activists criticized coal companies for profiting while ordinary Australians face soaring energy costs.

Spokesperson Lindsay Dean said, “We are stunned at the irony in naming a coal ship ‘Climate Respect’ when the burning of coal is the number one driver of dangerous climate change. Real climate respect looks like rapidly phasing out coal, and taxing coal corporations to raise the billions of dollars required to support coal workers and communities transition to secure, sustainable industries and jobs.”

Dean added, “NSW coal royalties are only 8-10%, and whilst 60% of NSW coal royalties are generated from the Hunter, less than 2% of those royalties come back to the region to fund support for workers during the transition away from coal. This is an outrage.”

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