Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has again been the target of climate activists after raucous protestors blocked access to her Rockingham office on Thursday.
It comes after activists defaced artwork on the wall of her office in March.
WA Greens Senator Dorinda Cox was among the protesters chanting “King don’t you dare frack our water and our air”.
The protest comprised a confusing group of representatives from Greenpeace, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, the Conservation Council of WA, pro-Palestine supporters and the Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins group, among others.
There was a heavy police presence closely monitoring the activities of the group of about 70 protesters.
City of Rockingham councillor Dawn Jecks wore a penguin costume while speaking about the plight of the flightless birds, saying the local population had been decimated.
“The impacts of global heating is playing out before our eyes in Rockingham,” she said.
“Heat waves are supercharging the decline of our little penguin colony on Penguin Island, which is just down the road. They are on track for extinction if we don’t change course and fast.
“Major factors include diminishing food availability due to climate change, heat stress impacting penguins during chick rearing and moulting.
“We know that in 2022 … 50 per cent of the newborn chicks died due to heat stress and climate change.”
Ms King directed a spray at Cr Jecks overnight ahead of the protest, criticising the costume worn by the councillor.
“I cannot be certain, but I believe it is probable that the penguin onesy (sic) suits protesters are being asked to wear are made from polyester or polyester blend,” she wrote online.
“Which is a product of the oil and gas industry, and that they are probably made in countries that rely on coal to supply the energy required to make the costumes.”
She also asked protestors not to glue themselves to her office wall, saying: “It is a terrible waste of the petrochemicals required for glue”.
Ms King was not at her office as the Federal Government’s Future Gas Strategy was released on Thursday, which became a hot topic among the protesters.
The strategy bolstered the Government’s support for new gas fields and import terminals.
Ms Cox said 70 per cent of Australian gas was imported overseas for the “gas cartel” and accused Ms King of working for them: “Not for the Australian people in a cost-of-living crisis.”
“This Government wanted a Voice to Parliament, they wanted to hear our voice and now they’re ignoring us,” she said.
Cheryl Martin, a first nations woman whose family survived the Pinjarra Massacre, called for mining profits to be used to benefit Aboriginal people.
“Our people are suffering and something needs to be done about that,” she said.