First protester charged with lock-on laws sentenced in Bowen

THE first protester charged under Queensland’s lock-on device laws got a hard life lesson when he was told “nobody gives a damn” if people chain themselves to railways.

Magistrate James Morton told Devan Morris Tisdale, from Victoria, to worry about what happens in his own community during proceedings at Bowen Magistrates Court last week.

“Stay in your own community and worry about the local people chopping down the tree or putting a path in,” Mr Morton said.

“This place is built on workers, you’re unemployed and living off the government.”

Tisdale pleaded guilty to four charges, including using a dangerous attachment device to interfere with transport infrastructure and trespass on a railway.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jay Merchant told the court police found Tisdale lying down, secured to the railway at Abbot Point on November 8 last year.

The court heard the section of railway Tisdale was attached to couldn’t be accessed without trespassing.

Sergeant Merchant said Tisdale removed ballasts from under the rail and then put his arms inside the attachment device, securing himself with wire nooses so he couldn’t be removed safely.

All trains and operations were stopped until he could be removed from the device with a cutting tool, Sergeant Merchant said.

The prosecutor said Tisdale’s action prevented five police officers from doing their regular duties and had an “extraordinary” impact on the company because of the flow-on effect of delaying transport and ships.

Tisdale was fined $1000 with no convictions recorded.

“Next time you’re worried about the environment, sir, do something lawful,” Mr Morton told Tisdale.

Devan Tisdale has faced court.