Protester tackled after interrupting opposition leader mid-speech

Thursday, 20 March 2025 13:51

"Why are you lying to the Australian People about the cost of nuclear," one of the protesters said as he was escorted out by security.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor have been interrupted by anti-nuclear energy protestors today in Sydney.

Dutton was addressing the Lowy Institute think tank when two protestors began heckling him.

"Why are you lying to the Australian people about the cost of nuclear," one of the protesters said as he was escorted out by security and federal police.

He held a banner reading "Nuclear lies cost us all".

After a pause, Dutton continued with his address.

Later in his speech about the Coalition's election priorities, he was interrupted again by a man speaking from the sidelines.

The second man's comments were not heard, but he could be seen falling into the seated audience as security attempted to remove him.

He was also escorted out.

The opposition leader's speech mainly focused on international affairs, including the war in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East.

Dutton also reaffirmed that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would be protected in any future trade agreements with the US.

"The protection of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has been paramount under all free trade agreements finalised by the Coalition," he said.

"It will continue to be sacrosanct under any trade agreements negotiated by a Dutton Coalition Government."

The protesters were part of the Rising Tide environmental group.

"The Coalition's scheme to force nuclear into Australia's energy grid is going to cost $600 billion to the taxpayer, add up to $1200 to people's energy bills, and produce 1.6 billion tonnes of climate pollution by 2050," Zack Schofield, one of the protesters, said afterwards.

Angus Taylor's media conference was relocated.

Hours after interrupting Dutton, the same protesters disrupted another press conference, this time forcing Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor to relocate his media opportunity.

Schofield again interrupted Taylor.

Taylor quickly packed up his team and began relocating to another location.

Dutton and Taylor aren't the first to be interrupted by protesters this week, with climate activists cutting off Treasurer Jim Chalmers during a pre-budget speech on Tuesday.

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