NSW Minerals Council chief executive officer Stephen Galilee said recent incidents of “industrial sabotage” at Maules Creek highlighted the need for strong deterrents. 

“We have raised safety concerns about the trespassing of protesters with the NSW government on a number of occasions. I hope we will now see action,” he said.

“It’s also time for the Greens, Lock the Gate, Greenpeace and others that have so far condoned illegal protest activity to publicly condemn this latest dangerous and extreme act of sabotage.

“Any refusal to do so is tacit endorsement of risking the lives of others to make a political point.”