Outspoken Nationals MP George Christensen wants coal mine protestors — including Greens leader Richard Di Natale — to be arrested and charged with terrorism offences.
"Not all terrorists strap explosives to themselves to prove their political point," Christensen declared during a speech to parliament on Monday afternoon.
The Queensland MP is waging a war against a group he dubs "eco-terrorists", including Di Natale, which is opposed to the Adani coal mine, and the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal in his electorate.
Christensen described the environmental activists as "worse than toddlers" and said they are threatening to break the law and disrupt legitimate business operations, and are putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
"Some activists threaten lives, including their own, by standing in front of a bulldozer or chaining themselves to critical infrastructure, such as a railway line," he said. "[They] want to destroy our economy and hold the country to ransom."
Christensen said, "such action meets the definition of terrorism in the criminal code".
"I hope these law-breakers are arrested, charged and convicted of offences, especially [Richard Di Natale], with a penalty exceeding a year's imprisonment."
This isn't the first time Christensen has made such claims. In a 2014 speech he described "gutless green germ" activists as "terrorists" multiple times.
Di Natale told BuzzFeed News that Christensen's comparison of protesters to terrorism is "shameful".
I reckon I found my next tie! #StopAdani
"George Christensen and his mates love nothing more than bullying people who are taking a stand against damaging environmental projects," he said. "It’s hardly a surprise when you consider that the LNP accepts millions of dollars of dirty donations and once they leave parliament, former MPs walk straight through the revolving door and into high paying lobbying jobs in the coal and gas industry.
"George Christensen is looking out for his rich mates and his future job prospects… nothing more."
Di Natale said he would continue to stand with the QLD community and protest the Adani coal mine.
Earlier this month he joined thousands or people protesting the proposed $16 billion Adani mega-mine, which is expected to produce up to 60 millions of tonnes of coal a year if it goes ahead.
"If we can't stop it in the parliament, we'll stop it by standing in front of those bulldozers," Di Natale said. "It won't go ahead."
Scientists and environmental activists say the mine will be the final nail in the coffin for the struggling Great Barrier Reef, and will create a huge increase in Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.
You can watch Christensen's speech in full here:
George Christensen wants coal mine protestors (including @RichardDiNatale) to be charged with terrorism and serve 1… https://t.co/qgDPCFO796
BuzzFeed News has sought comment from attorney-general George Brandis about Christensen's call to charge environmental protesters as terrorists.