Mass arrests at Federal Parliament as Australian’s urge effective climate action

23 November 2009, Canberra

Police are arresting approximately 150 climate protesters taking part in a sit-in at Federal Parliament.

One by one, protesters are being led or dragged away from the front entrance, following a mass civil disobedience protest today. Around 200 people converged on Parliament this morning to stage a mass sit-in, shutting down the entrance to the building."

The participants are calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to secure a strong, legally binding treaty at the upcoming international climate negotiations in Copenhagen.

The protest comes just two weeks before international climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, to finalise a new global treaty on how the world addresses the threat of climate change.

“This has been a true expression of the deep sense of betrayal many Australians feel about Kevin Rudd’s lack of effective action on climate change,” said Georgina Woods, spokesperson for the demonstration. “We voted for this government so they would stand up to the big polluters, and lead the world on dealing with the impending climate crisis.”

“Instead, Kevin Rudd has perfected a marvellous line in greenwash, the polluters are getting taxpayer handouts and under the legislation currently before the Senate, Australia will not have to cut domestic emissions one jot.”

“People have come to Canberra from around Australia today to take a stand for climate protection. We call on Kevin Rudd to do the same. Australia must commit to strong pollution targets, and no carbon offsets at the Copenhagen climate talks in two weeks. If he fails, mass arrests will continue as Australian’s take climate action into their own hands.”

For further information, contact: Keiller MacDuff 0429 033 411

For comment from the site of the sit in, contact: Georgina Woods 0438 223 771

Establishment media coverage:
Fairfax video: here

SMH: Climate protester block parliament: here

Herald Sun: here

Daily Telegraph: Protesters block parliament house: here