Denmark climate activist Julie Marsh to stand trial over defacing Federal MP Rick Wilson’s Albany office

A Denmark climate activist who admits she defaced a Federal MP’s office is taking the matter to trial. Julie Marsh, 57, defaced the Albany office of O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson on November 1 as the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties — COP26 — began in Glasgow. Ms Marsh said she used “spray-chalk” to write messages such as “tell the truth”, “you failed us COP-26”, “2050 too late: act now” and “climate criminals”. Police were called to the scene and used solvent to remove Ms Marsh’s feet, which had been glued to a wall. The Albany protest was one of several held across the country by Extinction Rebellion members to condemn the Australian Government’s record on climate change and to demand action. Last Thursday, the mother of two faced Albany Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal damage. Ms Marsh consulted with her lawyer twice after Magistrate Dianne Scaddan read out the charge. “It’s either yes, you understand or no, you don’t, Ms Marsh,” Ms Scaddan said. The matter is set to go to trial on March 2. Two police officers and the building owner will give evidence for the prosecution’s case, with a possible defence witness for Ms Marsh to take the stand. After her hearing, Ms Marsh handed out a media statement to reporters inside the courtroom. In the statement she said the charge was “quite astonishing ... given it was chalk, which washes off with water”. “If a building’s vulnerability to chalk is more important than our children’s lives, our priorities are very wrong,” she said. Ms Marsh said the Federal Government had failed the country at COP26. “It remains our moral responsibility to protect our beautiful planet, and the survival of all our children and those being born, whose lives are severely threatened by existing and looming climate catastrophes,” she said. “The current structures of power in Australia have disabled our mechanisms for meaningful change ... chalking is a rare opportunity to have a voice.” In the immediate aftermath of the November 1 protest, Mr Wilson thanked Albany police for their “quick attention” to the incident. “Everybody has a right to protest and to make their point, but they have an obligation, supported by the vast majority of Western Australians, to do so in a law-abiding manner,” he said. “My door is always open to anybody who wishes to discuss any matter of concern in a peaceful, lawful and rational manner.” Mr Wilson said he was “heartened” that Prime Minister Scott Morrison had attended the summit in person. “Latest official projections show Australia is on track to reduce emissions by up to 35 per cent by 2030, well above our target of 26-28 per cent,” he said on November 1. “Australia will continue to reduce emissions while growing our economy, maintaining affordable, reliable energy and ensuring regions, including the Great Southern, remain strong.” Ms Marsh’s bail conditions prevent her from entering Mr Wilson’s office and the adjacent footpath on Albany Highway.