Face of Nation : Queensland premier is resisting calls to back up her claims that there have been cases of activist groups rigging protest devices to hurt people.
When a bill which creates criminal offences relating to demonstrators was introduced last month, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk justified the measures saying police had advised her some protesters were using “sinister tactics”. She told parliament police said some demonstrators were using locking devices filled with glass or gas canisters, that were designed to harm those who try to cut protesters free.
The bill introduced to state parliament on Thursday would outlaw what the government has defined as dangerous attachment devices. Ms Palaszczuk said it “would not be prudent” to publicly detail police briefings in an answer to a question on notice delivered on Friday.
It was in response to Queensland Greens MP Michael Berkman asking about examples of how many times the devices were filled with dangerous objects. He asked for when and where the rigged devices had been used and if any emergency services workers had been injured.
Mr Berkman says Ms Palaszczuk “has provided zero evidence for the extremely serious claims”. “If the government is no longer required to provide any factual basis for legislation we’re in trouble,” he said in a statement on Monday.
“Particularly in a State where they can easily pass laws through our single house of Parliament.” It is understood the Premier was not willing to give Mr Berkman a private briefing on the issue. Mr Berkman has also written to Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll requesting a briefing.
