Four pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested after scaling the roof of Australia's Parliament House in Canberra and unfurling a banner that read “war crimes … enabled here”. The demonstration, which occurred on Thursday, led to a partial lockdown of the building and prompted a security review.
The protesters, three men and one woman, climbed onto a portico above the main entrance and remained there for two hours before descending and being detained by Australian Federal Police. They read a statement calling for an end to “US and Australian support for the genocidal state of Israel” and declaring “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the breach, stating that those responsible should “feel the full force of the law”. He argued that while peaceful protest has its place, this action “undermines our democracy”. Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed this sentiment, noting that the protest was “not appropriate” and did nothing to advance peace in Gaza.
The protest appeared coordinated with another action by climate activists from Rising Tide, who glued themselves to marble pillars inside the foyer. Both groups were cleared from the premises. House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick has ordered a wider review of security arrangements, saying he does not want a repeat of the incident.
Police issued the four arrested protesters with 24-month banning notices from Parliament House. The protest occurred on the last sitting day before a six-week winter recess and came amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7, according to Palestinian authorities.
