Melbourne activist can’t rely on evidence from climate experts to defend protest charges, court finds

<p>Brad Homewood is charged with four offences after a 2021 Extinction Rebellion protest at the Exxon/Mobil depot in Spotswood</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/21/australia-news-live-rba-michele-bullock-interest-rates-cost-of-living-election-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>A climate activist cannot rely on evidence from experts in global heating and civil disobedience to beat charges after a protest outside a Melbourne fuel depot, a magistrate has found.</p><p>Brad Homewood, 52, was charged with four offences relating to a 2021 Extinction Rebellion protest at an Exxon/Mobil depot in Spotswood.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/brad-homewood-activist-charges-extinction-rebellion-protest-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>