Police have dropped charges against three climate activists facing trial this week over their involvement in the 2024 Rising Tide People's Blockade of the Port of Newcastle.
Volunteer firefighter Evan Christen appeared in Newcastle Local Court Tuesday on a charge under the Marine Safety Act.
He was not convicted and received no penalty.
A more serious charge, which carries a maximum penalty of a $22,000 fine or two years' imprisonment, was dropped by police a week ago.
The anti-protest provision had already been successfully defeated by other Rising Tide protesters in October 2025, with police ordered to pay $73,000 in costs.
"How many more cases must the police run unsuccessfully before they do what is right?" Climate Defender Australia legal director Josh Pallas said.
"All outstanding 2024 Rising Tide charges should be withdrawn."
In another matter, Shannan Langford Salisbury had all charges against her withdrawn on June 16 after police could not locate the arresting officer required to prove their case.
"I shouldn't have had to spend 18 months waiting for the police to admit they couldn't make their case. People have a right to protest. That right matters," Ms Langford Salisbury said.
Rachel Evans faced a two-day hearing, which wrapped up Wednesday, on a single remaining charge under the Marine Safety Act after police withdrew the anti-protest charge last-minute, conceding they had no video evidence placing her in the water.
A "no case to answer" submission succeeded before the court, which resulted in the charge being dismissed.
"Police had no evidence. They knew it, and yet the process itself became the punishment - months of uncertainty, legal costs, and stress," Ms Evans said.
"If this is how the state responds to peaceful protest, something has gone very wrong."
The three climate activists were among 129 people charged over the November 2024 blockade, in which people paddled kayaks and canoes into the shipping channel at Newcastle as part of a protest against Australia's continued coal exports.
"These cases should never have had to proceed. Our clients have been punished enough through the legal process itself - and the public has been asked to foot the bill for a prosecution strategy that is clearly falling apart," Dr Pallas said.
