Greenpeace arrested over port protest

Environmental group Greenpeace says nine of its activists have been arrested after painting slogans on about 20 ships queuing at a central Queensland port, in protest against Australia's coal exports.

Campaigner Simon Roz said activists in inflatable boats had painted messages including "Rudd Exporting CO2", "Barrier Reef Gone", "Ice Caps Gone" and "Stop Coal Expansion" on ships queuing at Hay Point, near Mackay.

The protest began about 6am (AEST) Monday and continued until a police boat arrived at the scene around 9.30am.

He said three of the boats had been intercepted and nine activists arrested.

Mr Roz said the action was intended to draw attention to the environmental concerns linked to Australia's growing coal export industry

"The action was all about trying to highlight the contradiction between prime minister (Kevin) Rudd and premier (Anna) Bligh's stated intention to urgently reduce greenhouse pollution while presiding over a doubling of Australia's coal exports," he said.

"Greenhouse pollution doesn't know any borders so coal burnt anywhere will be destroying pristine environments all around the globe including the Great Barrier Reef and the Murray Darling."

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