Anti-Adani protesters cover MPs in black confetti

Anti-Adani protesters have infiltrated Queensland Parliament and staged a protest during Question Time.

Anti-Adani protesters have taken their concerns to Queensland Parliament.

Anti-Adani protesters have taken their concerns to Queensland Parliament. Source: Twitter @mcberkman/@stevenwardill

Anti-Adani protesters could face criminal charges after disrupting Queensland Parliament on Tuesday.

Around a dozen protesters entered the public gallery and dumped black confetti, meant to represent coal dust, onto MPs in the chamber.

They chanted "Prosecute Adani" and one unfurled a banner reading "3 Days to Go", referring to the amount of time left for the environment minister to prosecute the company over an environmental breach.
The protesters disrupted proceedings for several minutes, before police arrived to escort them out.

Speaker Curtis Pitt strongly criticised the protest.

"This is one of the most disrespectful incidents I've seen since I've been a member of this house," Mr Pitt said.
The protest was timed to coincide with Energy Minister Anthony Lynham giving an answer, and he apologised to a school group who were also in the gallery when he resumed speaking.

Mr Pitt later said he would investigate whether parliamentary security needed to be reviewed in light of the incident and suggested the protesters could be prosecuted.

A police spokesman confirmed no arrests have yet been made.

Greens MP Michael Berkman took a photo with the demonstrators outside parliament after the action.
Speaker Curtis Pitt denounced the protest.
Speaker Curtis Pitt denounced the protest. Source: AAP
"Today these brave citizens peacefully disrupted Parliament calling on @QLDLabor to enforce the law and prosecute #Adani for their toxic coal pollution at Abbot Point. With Lab and LNP in bed with big coal, civil disobedience is one of the few options left," he tweeted.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch issued a statement saying the action went "too far" and defended the department's handling of the spill at the centre of the protest.

"Unlike the LNP and the Greens, we won't put our laws at risk having politicians say who gets prosecuted," she said in a statement

"The alleged release of contaminants at Abbot Point in March last year has been the subject of formal investigation and remains under consideration by the regulator."


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