Rising Tide activists have taken to the water to deface a coal ship in the Port of Newcastle with the words “TAX ME”.

The vessel, aptly named Climate Justice, arrived in the harbour in the early hours of Thursday 30 October, where several people were allegedly waiting on a smaller boat.

It’s believed the group used chalk paint to spray the words onto the hull of the ship.

Rising Tide organiser Zack Schofield told the Newcastle Weekly the act was far less damaging than the effect of fossil fuels on the environment.

“The Port of Newcastle and the coal industry pays far less in tax than your average nurse or tradie,” he said.

“Coal exports are taxed at about eight per cent to 12 per cent in NSW, which is a disgraceful amount considering we’re facing industry collapse.

“The NSW Governm

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