LABOR POLLIES SNUB LEADERS’ DEBATE
DEBATE UP STAGED BY PRO TESTERS
FOUR protesters hid under a stage at The Ville Resort- Casino for more than five hours before interrupting a political leaders’ debate and leaving behind bottles of their urine.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls had just started speaking at the Townsville Enterprise/ Bulletin event when the protesters appeared from under the media stage at the back of the function room.
The protesters managed to make it on stage next to One Nation’s Steve Dickson, Katter’s Australian Party’s Robbie Katter and Mr Nicholls before security removed them.
According to surveillance footage, a protester broke into the room about 11pm on Tuesday before letting three others in about 1am.
The Ville CEO Michael Jones said the protesters had a hotel room booked and provided interstate addresses.
“The ( function) room was locked last night when our staff went home after setting up,” he said. “The footage has been provided to the Australian Federal Police.”
Mr Jones said the venue’s security staff were on site but were not asked by organisers to be part of the breakfast.
“We are currently awaiting advice from the AFP as to whether any charges will be laid against the protester who broke into the room,” he said.
Townsville Western Patrol Group Inspector Damian Ir- vine said the protesters were given move- on directions.
“Those move- on directions advised them they couldn’t go back to the precinct,” he said.
“They’re banned from going back. Inquiries are still under way to establish how they got in.”
Following the interruption, the three leaders debated electricity prices, how the Mount Isa- Townsville rail line could be fixed and the disparities between southeast Queensland and the North.
One highlight was a show of hands from the audience to express their support for Adani, with almost all raising their hands and more than
THE FOOTAGE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
THE VILLE CEO MICHAEL JONES
half indicating they supported Commonwealth backing for the miner’s Galilee rail line.
On power, Mr Katter said cash was better with businesses.
“Everyone is telling you now if it’s ( energy) not holding their businesses back it will destroy them,” he said. “It’s the regulated asset valuation.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP would deliver cheaper power.
“We don’t support the 50 per cent renewable energy target, which adds more funds to the power bill around $ 200,” he said.
Mr Dickson said One Nation would drop the cost of electricity by 20 per cent.
“Government- owned corporation – they’ve been taking that money as an indirect tax and putting it into consolidated revenue,” he said.
“Our plan is to push that back into the generators and drive down the cost.”
While Labor has committed $ 2 million for the Underwater Museum off Townsville, none of the leaders yesterday said they would prioritise the project.