A western Sydney professor has refused to rule out being arrested again in climate change protests after members of Extinction Rebellion had their bail conditions revoked by a magistrate.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy dispensed with the strict bail conditions of 27 members of the group - which the protesters argued were akin to those commonly given to organised criminals - in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.
Professor Roy Tasker said he would take part in future climate change protests and would consider whether he was willing to be arrested again.
"Losing my liberty for a short time was a personal choice to draw attention to the climate crisis and the urgent need for the government to address it," Mr Tasker said outside court.
"I most certainly will get involved (in further protests) for the same reasons I got involved last time. I'll think hard about whether I'll get arrested again. But I feel just as strongly."
Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam had his bail conditions lifted a fortnight ago after he too was arrested during the Extinction Rebellion protests in central Sydney.
Protesters block off Martin Place in Sydney on Friday. Source: AAP
Mr Ludlam had been ordered not to go within 2.5 kilometres of Sydney Town Hall or attend further protests after police raised concerns he would "endanger the safety of victims, individuals and the community".
Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley threw out those restrictions on 10 October arguing the concerns could be appropriately addressed by unconditional bail.
Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam has had bail conditions – that banned him from associating with Extinction Rebellion climate change protests – dismissed. Source: AAP
The 27 members of the group who were successful in having their bail conditions altered on Friday were charged after they laid down on the road and stopped traffic, or locked themselves to a rainwater tank which had been lifted out of a ute.
"These conditions were just oppressive," the protesters' defence barrister, Cameron Murphy, said outside court.
"They're the kind of conditions you'd normally only see applied to a criminal organisation, not peaceful protesters like these people."
