Summary trial date set for anti-coal activist Coedie Mcavoy’s alleged assault of Queensland mine workers

Anti-coal activist Coedie McAvoy will face a summary trial* in Emerald Magistrates Court on 14 December for the alleged assault of two workers at the Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland.

Mr McAvoy was arrested after he allegedly assaulted an Indigenous environmental ranger and a Bravus Mining and Resources security guard as the pair went about their routine and lawful work on the Carmichael Mining Lease, near Clermont in central Queensland, on 27 February 2023.

It is alleged the assault occurred when Mr McAvoy and an associate used a trail bike to block the track the workers were driving on, which forced them to stop.

Mr McAvoy then opened the door of the vehicle the Bravus workers were travelling in and allegedly attempted to drag the Indigenous environmental ranger from the vehicle under the threat of subjecting the worker to Mr McAvoy’s “tribal law.”

It is alleged that in a video of the incident the frightened worker is heard telling Mr McAvoy “I just want to do my job” as Mr McAvoy stands near him.

A Bravus Mining and Resources spokesperson said the alleged assault followed a series of threats Mr McAvoy had made against Traditional Owners who are working to manage cultural heritage and the environment at the Carmichael mine.

Mr McAvoy has maintained an unauthorised protest camp on the Carmichael Mining Lease for about two years. He opposes the mine, in contrast to the majority of Traditional Owners who negotiated an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with Bravus Mining and Resources and are working proactively with the company to manage cultural heritage and the environment at the mine.

“Two weeks prior to the alleged assault, Mr McAvoy made public threats to some of our Indigenous workforce via his social media channels, stating ‘If you think you can come into my backyard with a stupid ar** Adani security, you are sorely mistaken’,” the spokesperson said.

“Mr McAvoy went on to say: ‘If I have to lay punishment on every single one of those people who come out here and they don’t come through my ceremony, then I will lay that punishment on them myself’.

“We continue to provide support to the two victims of the alleged assault, as well as to their colleagues who were badly shaken by the incident and continue to fear they may be targeted next.

“Like every law-abiding Queenslander, mine workers and cultural heritage workers at our Carmichael mine have the right to feel safe at work and go about their jobs free from intimidation, harassment, or violence.”

Mr McAvoy has been charged with two counts of common assault.

ENDS

EDITOR’S NOTES:

*A summary trial is a trial before a Magistrate without a jury for persons charged with summary offences (i.e. non-indictable offences).

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