National

Police move on Canberra protest camp

By AAP Newswire

Jan 14, 2022

Police observe a protest camp at Old Parliament House. — Police have begun an operation to clear a protest camp near Old Parliament House in Canberra. -AAP Image

Police have begun an operation to clear a protest camp near Old Parliament House in Canberra.

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The operation on Friday followed a request from the National Capital Authority to "remove structures and vehicles that are on Commonwealth land without a permit".

ACT police used a loudspeaker to announce all tents, caravans, vehicles and other camping equipment must be removed from the area by 4pm AEDT or police would remove it.

They said camping within the parliamentary triangle without a permit constituted a breach of Commonwealth law.

One protester yelled: "Shame on you."

It followed a court hearing for two men charged over a December 30 protest which saw the doors of the now-museum set on fire.

Protesters on Thursday sought to enter nearby Parliament House but were prevented by police, with a number of people arrested in the forecourt.

The 'sovereign citizen' group has been arguing against COVID-19 vaccinations and calling for the federal government to be "evicted", among other issues.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press