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| Lock the Gate | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lock the Gate |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Anna Bligh, Bob Brown, Clive Palmer |
| Type | Advocacy group |
| Headquarters | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Area served | Australia |
| Key people | Dion Hegarty, Dawn Walker, Peter Ridd |
| Focus | Land access, mining, water |
Lock the Gate
Lock the Gate is an Australian grassroots advocacy network formed in 2009 that campaigns against coal mining, coal-seam gas development and resource extraction on private and public land. The movement brought together landholders, environmentalists, Indigenous leaders and community activists and became prominent in debates involving Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. Lock the Gate has intersected with politics surrounding parties such as the Australian Labor Party, Liberal Party of Australia, National Party of Australia, and activist movements linked to figures like Bob Brown and institutions such as the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Lock the Gate emerged amid escalating disputes over unconventional gas extraction and coal mining in regional Australia during the late 2000s, following high-profile controversies in places like the Surat Basin, Liverpool Plains, and the Hunter Valley. Early alliances included rural landholders represented by groups like the Victorian Farmers Federation and conservationists associated with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia. The campaign timeline features interactions with state administrations such as the Bligh Ministry, confrontations with companies including Santos Limited, Origin Energy, New Hope Coal, BHP, and Glencore, and public inquiries led by commissions such as the Independent Commission Against Corruption (NSW). Over time, the movement influenced policy debates during federal events like the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the 2013 Australian federal election, and issues taken up by members of parliament including Tony Windsor and Bob Katter.
Lock the Gate developed as a federated network combining local chapters, regional coordinators, and a national secretariat interacting with organizations such as the Australian Greens, Australian Conservation Foundation, and legal clinics at universities like the University of Sydney and the Australian National University. Governance involved volunteer committees, donor relations with philanthropic foundations including the Ian Potter Foundation and alliances with legal advocacy entities like the Environmental Defenders Office. The organizational model featured community training programs, campaign support similar to structures used by groups like GetUp! and international partners including 350.org and Friends of the Earth affiliates. Funding streams included small donations, grants, and pro bono legal assistance often coordinated with regional associations including the NSW Farmers Association and conservation trusts such as the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales.
Lock the Gate organized direct actions, legal challenges, and public education campaigns focused on sites like the Curtis Island LNG precinct, the Canning Basin, and the Gunnedah Basin. Tactics mirrored those of global movements involving occupations, blockades, and petitions seen in actions by groups akin to Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace. The network produced research reports, submissions to inquiries such as the Senate Select Committee on Coal Seam Gas, and coordinated with media outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) for coverage. Campaigns targeted corporations like Metgasco, Arrow Energy, and Whitehaven Coal, and engaged politicians including Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, and state leaders such as Campbell Newman.
Through strategic litigation and policy advocacy, Lock the Gate contributed to moratoria, tighter land access rules, and planning changes in jurisdictions including Queensland Land Court and regulatory processes in New South Wales Land and Environment Court. The movement influenced legislation debates in state parliaments such as the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and federal inquiries including submissions to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia. Outcomes included local government planning instrument changes in shires like the Byron Shire and council motions in areas including the Blue Mountains City Council, while prompting responses from law firms and legal actors such as the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
Public reactions spanned broad support from rural communities, Indigenous groups including representatives from the Yuggera and Wiradjuri peoples, and environmentalists linked to figures like Gina Rinehart's opponents, to criticism from industry associations such as the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association and coal proponents connected to Clive Palmer. Media commentary ranged across outlets including The Guardian (Australia), Sky News Australia, and The Courier-Mail. Critics accused the campaign of impeding investment, citing statements from industry leaders like Andrew Forrest and financial institutions including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, while supporters pointed to alliances with scientific voices from institutions like the CSIRO and university researchers at Griffith University.
Lock the Gate’s tactics and networks resonated with global anti-extraction movements including Save the Tarkine, Protect the Inlet, and campaigns in the United States and United Kingdom that opposed fracking near communities involved in struggles referenced by groups like Earthjustice and Frack Free United. International environmental NGOs including Friends of the Earth International, Sierra Club, and Greenpeace International cited Australian cases in broader reports on fossil fuel expansion. The network participated in international conferences such as meetings convened by UNEP and exchanges with grassroots organizers from regions like the Marcellus Shale and the Bowland Basin.
Significant actions included prolonged blockades at sites such as the Narrabri gas project protests, occupations in the Swan Valley and the Koala Coast, and legal stand-offs involving companies like Santos Limited and Metgasco. High-profile incidents drew political attention during events involving leaders such as Tony Abbott and led to arrests processed by local police forces and magistrates in courts like the Lismore Local Court. The movement’s demonstrations coincided with major environmental campaigns like campaigns against the Adani Carmichael coal mine and actions on the Great Barrier Reef advocacy front, often coordinated with groups including Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Rainforest Action Network.