No charges for protesters who abused the Premier

Updated

February 09, 2012 16:41:45


Noongar protesters make their point known
Photo:
Protesters shouted abuse at Premier Colin Barnett over the native title deal (ABC News: Jade Macmillan)

Police say it is unlikely any action will be taken against a group of protesters who racially abused the Premier yesterday.

About 50 people surrounded a Kings Park restaurant where Premier Colin Barnett was negotiating a billion dollar native title deal with members of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.

The Premier had to be rushed to his car by a security escort, as protesters shouted abuse at him.

The Police Commissioner Karl O’Callagahn says it is difficult to prove the Premier was racially vilified.

“The criminal code, as far as racial hatred goes, requires us to prove either animosity or incitement and those sorts of things are quite hard things to prove,” he said.

“Incitement, for arguments sake, means that someone is trying to insight someone to do more.

“What we have is some insults that were thrown at the Premier, the Premier doesn’t want to make a complaint as far as I’m aware and that makes it difficult to take the matter any further.”

Commission O’Callaghan says police will monitor the actions of the protesters.

“You’re going to get these sorts of things, people in high office expect to be insulted occasionally,” he said.

“I’ sure the premier does, I certainly have in the past, but what we’ll need to do in the future is keep a close eye on this group in case they go a step further.”

Topics:
antisocial-behaviour,
perth-6000

First posted

February 09, 2012 16:39:05



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