Matilda Lane-Rose: Disrupt Burrup Hub activist granted contact with members despite prosecutions ‘concerns’

A teenage climate change activist accused of a plot to lock herself to the front gate of Woodside boss Meg O’Neill’s family home is now allowed to make contact with a handful of protesters despite “concerns” by the prosecution. Matilda Lane-Rose, 19, fronted Perth Magistrates court on Tuesday morning after she was charged over a “threatening” alleged plan to lock herself to the front gate of Woodside boss Ms O’Neills’s family home on August 1. Ms Lane-Rose was arrested over the incident by counter-terrorism police who laid in wait at the City Beach mansion after she — and three others — allegedly conspired to damage her mansion. She was released from custody under strict bail conditions which outlined she was prohibited from contacting several protestors — including her co-accused Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Emil Davey. In Perth Magistrates Court Ms Lane-Rose’s lawyer made the case that her bail conditions denying communication to Disrupt Burrup Hub protestors Joana Partyka, Kristen Morrissey and Tahlia Stolarski were an overreach considering they were not charged over the alleged August plot. “We are not talking about an outlaw motorcycle club, we are talking about a protest group,” he said. “If they are doing lawful behaviour they are entitled to associate with these people.” The prosecutor disagreed with the case stating the conditions were “appropriate” and that police had “concerns” about Ms Rose associating with the protesters amid a current investigation. “There is information that offences are likely to have been committed by these people,” the prosecution said. “While these people aren’t from a motorcycle club, there is activity that is going on.” Magistrate Andrew Matthews ultimately amended Ms Lane-Rose’s bail conditions granting her the ability to contact Ms Partykas, Ms Morrissey and Ms Stolarski following the hearing. She is still prohibited from contacting her co-accused. Ms Lane Rose only appeared to confirm her name and confirm she understands the charge before the trial was adjourned until September 28 pending legal advice. The three activists Ms Lane-Rose can now speak with have been charged on previous occasions over disruptive protests. Ms Partyka was charged with criminal damage after she spraypainted a Woodside logo over a painting at the Art Gallery of WA. She was fined $7500 over the incident and pleaded guilty in court. Both Ms Partyka and fellow campaigner Ms Morrissey were charged by police in June after they allegedly let off “stink bombs” inside Woodside’s CBD headquarters. They are both facing charges of acts of omission causing bodily harm or danger to any person as police allege workers became unwell as a result of the protest. Ms Stolarski, who was initially charged over a “serious” incident at Woodside’s AGM at Perth Convention Centre where stench bombs were alleged to have been deployed, was granted bail in April. Ms Stolarski was also at the centre of a spray paint protest at WA Parliament in February after she plastered the Woodside logo on its entrance. Outside court surrounded by a caucus of Disrupt Burrup Hub protestors, Ms Lane-Rose said she “never set foot” on Ms O’Neill’s property. “No one was ever in any danger because of this protest and there was no possibility of anyone entering the house of the Woodside CEO except for the dozen counter-terror police already inside the property,” she said. Ms Lane-Rose did not answer questions outside court in relation to the planned protest. On August 3 Ms Lane-Rose refused to apologise to Ms O’Neill over the incident due to “legal proceedings”. “May I just remind you, I’m a 19-year-old university student who had a bike lock in her hand,” she told media. In the following hours after the planned disruption, Ms O’Neill said “such acts by extremists should be condemned by anyone who respects the law and believes people should be safe to go about their business at home and at work”.

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Matilda Lane-Rose: Disrupt Burrup Hub activist granted contact with members despite prosecutions ‘concerns’