Activists Shut Down Parliament Today With A Protest About Refugees
"Every day on Manus and Christmas Island is another day in hell."
A group of about 30 refugee activists interrupted question time in Parliament today, bringing the House of Representatives to a standstill and forcing the Speaker to suspend proceedings.
Government backbencher Melissa Price was midway through asking a question to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the government’s political achievements when activists began chanting from the public gallery.
here's the start of the refugee protest in #QT – they shouted over Melissa Price, who tried valiantly (in vain) to continue her question pic.twitter.com/DARCMwnLaU
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) November 30, 2016
Over 20 protestors have hijacked Question Time. Security trying to drag them out. Question Time suspended. pic.twitter.com/FjDfJh9xrM
— Joel Dry (@JoelDry9) November 30, 2016
The protesters made clear they were campaigning for a more humane refugee policy, shouting “We are here today because your policies are breaking our hearts, because every day on Manus and Christmas Island is another day in hell.”
The Speaker of the House, Tony Smith, responded by suspending the business of the House of Representatives, which brought an end to question time. Most of the Coalition members of the House walked out soon after, but Labor and crossbench MPs remained.
A number of protesters claimed to have super-glued their hands to the railings and requested paramedics before they were removed.
About 30 protesters remain in the public gallery and say some people have superglued themselves together. Asking for paramedics #auspol
— Annika Smethurst (@annikasmethurst) November 30, 2016
Security taking away the protesters. pic.twitter.com/21cuYMFLTz
— Josh Taylor (@joshgnosis) November 30, 2016
Major security operation still underway at Parliament House. Chanting still underway pic.twitter.com/e57UUQX3rv
— Karen Barlow (@KJBar) November 30, 2016
Politicians have had mixed responses to the protest, with Labor MP Tim Watts slamming it as “a poor form of democratic protest”.
Preventing elected Members of Parliament from meeting is a poor form of democratic protest #qt
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) November 30, 2016
While Greens MP Adam Bandt tweeted that he was “Proud”.
Question Time brought to a halt as peaceful protesters hold MPs to account demanding gov #CloseTheCamps. Brave. Powerful. Proud. #qt
— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) November 30, 2016
Junkee understands that the protests were coordinated by the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance (WACA). The same group was responsible for a protest in August, targeting the Prime Minister at an economic summit.
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Feature image via Joel Dry/Twitter