Central Coast, 2.00pm: I have just returned from the gates of Munmorah coal-fire power station, where 15 of my fellow activists have been arrested. It’s been a hectic day but we have succeeded in preventing coal from entering one of the country’s oldest and dirtiest power stations for over five hours, sending it into wind-down.

And in contrast to the rhetoric and inadequate blah blah offered by both major parties, we have made our message abundantly clear – coal kills. It’s even painted in 7 metre-high letters on the roof of Munmorah, thanks to our activists. But if we don’t start phasing out these stations once and for all, and replacing them with renewables and energy efficiency, coal will to continue to kill. Our planet. Our economy. Our future.

The world’s top scientists have told us this week that Australia is one of the world’s worst polluters. It’s time for our leaders to start doing their bit and quit coal now.

Steve Campbell, Head of Campaigns