Security review launched into Parliament House protest
Andrew Brown |
The Prime Minister has condemned the actions of pro-Palestinian protesters who scaled Parliament House and unfurled banners with an investigation underway into the security breach.
Four people were arrested after the protest on Thursday which involved unfurling banners that accused Australia of complicity in “war crimes” and “genocide”.
House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick told parliament an investigation would be carried out into the breach, after talks with the federal police commissioner.
“I’ve asked the commissioner for a wider review of security arrangements. I do not want a repeat of today’s events,” he said.
“We are deeply concerned about this morning’s event.”
Members of the public were barred from sitting in the House of Representatives during Question Time as a security measure, following the protests.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slammed the actions of the protesters, while also welcoming the security review.
“Those responsible should feel the full force of the law. Peaceful protest has an important place in our society, but this was not a peaceful protest,” he said.
“People should be able to come and watch their parliament function in real-time but activities such as that undermines that and undermines our democracy.”
Mr Albanese said he did not want to see unnecessary restrictions put in place on parliament following the protests.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also joined the condemnation of the protests.
“Serious questions need to be asked about how these people were permitted entry into the building,” he said.
“We need to understand the gravity of the situation because these images will be beamed around the world.”
Parliament House security was given a $126 million upgrade following a review in 2014, which resulted in a fence being built to stop public access to the roof of Parliament House without first going through security.
Australia’s parliament was built into Capital Hill with a grassed roof, whose architect designed it to allow for people to symbolically walk above their elected representatives.
Coalition senator James Paterson said the actions of the protesters was a serious breach of security.
“The building was modified at great expense to prevent incursions like this,” he said on X.
Senate president Sue Lines said matters of security at Parliament House needed to be taken seriously.
“There have been significant upgrades to security infrastructure and measures in the last parliament, and further upgrades are in progress,” she said.
The four protesters who had been arrested – three men and one woman – have been banned from Parliament House for two years.
They are expected to be charged with Commonwealth trespass offences.
AAP
