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Anthony Albanese labels protest on top of Parliament House as 'completely self-indulgent' and likens it to demonstrations outside his Marrickville electoral office

skynews.com.au 2024/10/5

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called out the group of protesters who stormed their way to the top of Canberra's Parliament House, triggering a security scare in the nation's capital.

Four protestors charged with trespass after Parliament House stunt

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed the group of pro-Palestinian protesters who stormed their way to the top of Parliament House to demonstrate.

The incident happened on Thursday just after 10am (AEST), when three men and a woman somehow made their way to the top of the building in Canberra.

They unfurled a large black banner with the slogan in white writing "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "no peace on stolen land".

Another hung under the Australian Coat of Arms read "war Crimes enabled here".

PM Anthony Albanese has condemned the group of pro-Palestinian protesters who stormed onto the top of Parliament House on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman
PM Anthony Albanese has condemned the group of pro-Palestinian protesters who stormed onto the top of Parliament House on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Asked about the incident while in the New South Wales town of Queanbeyan, Mr Albanese argued the rally would not change what was happening in the Israel-Gaza war.

"The engagement I've had ... Greens Senators post videos outside my electorate office. Do you know what that's achieving?" he said to reporters.

"I don't think Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is thinking, 'I wonder what is happening outside an electorate office in Marrickville Road before I make decisions'.

"It's just completely self-indulgent."

The Prime Minister added the incidents outside his Sydney office meant "vulnerable people" in his community were being stopped from seeking assistance for "many months".

He earlier stressed his opinion on the conflict in the Middle East, saying he supported US President Joe Biden's peace proposal and that he wanted to see a pause in fighting.

"We want a ceasefire, we want hostages released, we want increased humanitarian aid for Gaza and we want a solution which must be a two state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians being able to live in peace and security in states side-by-side," he said.

Mr Albanese described the actions of the protesters as "self-indulgent", but stressed he wanted to see a ceasefire, hostages returned and more Gaza humanitarian aid. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Mr Albanese described the actions of the protesters as "self-indulgent", but stressed he wanted to see a ceasefire, hostages returned and more Gaza humanitarian aid. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The four protesters - who wore face coverings to hide their identity - were charged on Thursday and faced a court, before the quartet were released on bail.

The maximum penalty for their crime is a fine of $2,750.

The incident occurred on the final sitting day of parliament before a six-week break.

A review has been launched into how the demonstrators were able to make their way onto the facade of one of Australia's most famous and secure landmarks.

The four protesters have been charged and were given bail. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The four protesters have been charged and were given bail. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told a Senate committee hearing on Thursday that the group has used diversionary tactics.

"We did also have some false phone calls of other protests happening at nearby areas that did not occur," he said.

"So there was not only was there diversionary efforts at Parliament House, but there was on diverting AFP resources to other areas. So this was quite what I would call a criminal act. Hence, the four arrests and the charges."

Police said there was a total of 30 protesters at Parliament House, some of which had glued themselves to marble columns in the building's foyer.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and security will be reviewed.

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