EXTINCTION REBELLION
PROTEST — PERTH
1166. Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the protest action on
Friday, 11 October 2019 by those styling themselves ''Extinction
Rebellion''.
(1) Did any
protesters create a physical barrier that prevented any lawful activity by
non-protesters?
(2) If yes to (1), how; and what
activity was prevented, and for how long?
(3) Have any protesters been charged with offences for
doing so; and, if so, how many, and with what offences?
(4) How much did it cost police to
remove those physical barriers?
(5) Will the
police be seeking from the court convicting any protester the recovery of the
expense of removing those barriers; and, if not, why not?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police. The Western Australia Police Force advises as follows.
(1) A group
numbering approximately 400 persons commenced a protest march from Elizabeth
Quay, Perth, and proceeded to sit down at the William Street–Hay Street
intersection. Of the protesters blocking the intersection, nine were locked
together using PVC pipes and chains, and one had his feet glued to a podium.
(2) The march commenced at 8.30 am
and the William Street blockade was cleared at 1.20 pm.
(3) Sixty-five
protesters were arrested at the William Street–Hay Street intersection.
They were charged with various offences, including disorderly conduct and
obstructing police.
(4) Police officers who were on
duty� were assigned to the police response.
(5) Not applicable.