Sunrise co-host David Koch has blown his lid on Friday morning during a live interview with a young woman dangling over a major freight track to protest climate inaction.
The young woman – who identified herself as Emma – was streaming into the studio live from above Port Botany where she had suspended herself with ropes to disrupt transport for the fourth day this week.
“We got you on because we wanted to hear from a pest and what they looked and sounded like,” Koch chastised the young woman before the show cut the live interview short.
Protesters representing climate action group Blockade Australia have pulled off a series of stunts this week under the noses of police and transport authorities who have repeatedly promised to quash the protests.
“Just listen to us,” Koch groaned, cutting the woman off mid-sentence.
“I think we all agree with climate change but this is the fourth day in a row you have blocked roads, commuter rail lines. Why disrupt everybody else’s life because you have a bee in your bonnet?” Koch said.
“Can I have your home address so when I’m angry about something I can lock your house and disrupt your life?
“Don’t you think it‘s a bit arrogant?”
Emma replied: “The reason why we need to do this, and it’s not fun, is because without this disruption, we are not being listened to.
“We have the right because it's all our futures at stake.”
Koch became increasingly agitated with the protester.
“What if the authorities clipped the rope, are you a good swimmer?” he asked.
The interview descended quickly into chaos as Koch responded to claims that the protesters were fighting for the world’s children.
“They have a great future, poverty is going down,” he fumed.
Co-host Natalie Barr, who had remained noticeably quiet for most of the interview, attempted to defuse Koch’s emotional rant.
“It is interesting to hear what she has to say,” Ms Barr offered up. “You want to know why they are doing it.”
The protester could soon be facing up to $22,000 in fines and two years in jail under new legislation.
