Beattie defends right to protest

GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie defended indigenous activists who tried to storm Carrara Stadium and blocked the Queen’s Baton ahead of Wednesday night’s opening ceremony, saying they had a right to protest about Australia’s treatment of Aborigines.

Three protesters including former Northern Territory youth detainee Dylan Voller were arrested and the baton was blocked on The Spit for about an hour by another group of activists.

But Mr Beattie said Aborigines had a right to protest.

“This nation doesn’t have a great record if you look at how indigenous people have been treated and frankly we need to reach out to them,” he said.

“This is an organisation that takes our relationship with indigenous people really seriously.”

Mr Beattie said he would be happy to sit down with protesters to try to prevent a repeat of the incidents.