Two arrested at housing protest

PREMIER Will Hodgman says the Government has heard the message about housing stress “loud and clear” after two protesters were arrested from Parliament Lawns yesterday morning.

About 20 police officers disbanded a makeshift tent city about 7am after the group failed to comply with a direction by the Parliament House Controller to leave.

Two protesters, aged 36 and 50, who refused to pack up were charged with trespass and bailed to appear at the Hobart Magistrates Court on June 12.

Inspector Jo Stolp said police had been monitoring the protest and communicating with the Occupy Tasmania group since they first arrived on Tuesday.

“As always, police facilitated peaceful protest,” she said. “I would suggest there was less than 10 protesters when we actually got there.”

The group was kicked off the lawns after they breached their protest permit by staying overnight.

Housing Connect was called in to provide alternative accommodation advice.

Mr Hodgman said he trusted police handled the situation “appropriately and professionally”.

“We’ve certainly heard loud and clear from Tasmanians who are suffering from housing stress, especially those people who were on the front lawns of parliament,’’ he said.

He said the Government wanted to provide those struggling to get into a home with additional support as soon as possible.