Dramatic climate protest at Federal Parliament, eight arrested

Eight people have been arrested during a dramatic protest at Parliament House in Canberra this morning.

Two
women disrupted Treasurer Wayne Swan's post-budget address in the Great
Hall, protesting at the government's shamefully inadequate response to
climate change in both this budget and its Carbon Pollution Reduction
Scheme.

At the same time, seven women locked themselves together
in a circle in the main foyer of Parliament, chanting slogans calling
for swift and meaningful greenhouse pollution cuts, not handouts to
polluting industries.

Meanwhile, outside, two protesters in
climbing harnesses abseiled from the front facade of Parliament,
hanging an eight metre long banner reading "Carbon Budget Blowout".

The charges are not yet known.

The
budget address comes just a week after the Federal Government
back-flipped on its promise that their controversial Carbon Pollution
Reduction Scheme would take effect from next year.

Georgina
Woods, spokesperson for protest organisers Rising Tide Newcastle: “The
Government has utterly failed to deliver on its promise to take
effective action to reduce greenhouse emissions. They will take us to
the next Federal election with greenhouse pollution still rising.

“The
Budget released last night is a black hole. They are throwing money
everywhere but where it needs to be: urgently bringing down greenhouse
emissions.”    

Legislation for the Carbon Pollution Reduction
Scheme is expected to be introduced into parliament this week but
protestors say the scheme is riddled with problems.

“With just
six months till the crucial Copenhagen climate talks, and a Government
enslaved to big polluting industries, every parliamentarian must
examine their conscience: one day, we will have to explain what we did
to our children.”

Further comment: Georgina Woods 0438 223 771

Alternative number: Steve Phillips 0437 275 119

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