Police expect protests

POLICE are anticipating protests from anti-Adani activists during the Commonwealth Games and have issued a warning to anyone planning on disrupting the enjoyment or safety of spectators.

Stop Adani said it did not have any plans to protest during the Games, however Frontline Action on Coal (FLAC) did not comment.

It comes after Dawson MP George Christensen called for activists to start undertaking community service instead of being issued with fines after protesters started seeking financial assistance from the community to help them pay back more than $79,000.

When asked whether Police were expecting anti-Adani protests, a spokesman said with an event of this nature, it was anticipated there would be “some level of protest activity”.

“The Queensland Police Service’s Commonwealth Games Engagement Team have developed relationships with various protest groups over the past 18 months and acknowledges their rights to protest,” he said.

“The Engagement Team and key partners continue to engage with these groups in an effort to facilitate peaceful and lawful protest activities.”

The spokesman said if a protest posed a risk to the enjoyment, safety or dignity of those at the Games, Police would “respond appropriately”.

It comes after Police visited the activists’ Bowen camp for the first time after they failed to answer their phone.

Inspector Steve O’Connell of Mackay Police District said police had been keen to have a discussion with protesters about the Queens Baton Relay that passed through the region.

A FLAC spokeswoman said out of respect to the local community, FLAC chose not to engage in protest actions across the Queen’s Baton relay.