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February 13th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda AAP
A senior parliamentary officer gave permission to indigenous protesters to light a fire, which was later used to burn the Australian flag outside the main doors of Parliament House.
Aboriginal activists marched on parliament on the day after Australia Day to deliver a petition calling for indigenous sovereignty, and an Australian flag was burned by some of the activists.
A Senate estimates hearing on Monday was told the fire had been authorised by the Usher of the Black Rod, Brien Hallett.
Acting head of the Department of Parliamentary Services David Kenny told the committee it was a breach of operating policies to light a fire in the parliamentary precinct without the approval of senior officers.
Senate president John Hogg, who had been on leave on the day, told the hearing permission to light the fire had been sought and received.
He said Mr Hallett had discussed the presentation of the petition with Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers who were liaising with the protesters.
“It became clear that the entire group intended to proceed onto the forecourt,” Senator Hogg said.
“Discussions had to be made quickly due to the available police and the atmosphere that was in existence.
“Following a request from the Australian Federal Police, the black rod authorised that a ceremonial fire be taken onto the forecourt by a small group of protesters in ceremonial dress.”
The incident came after an Australia Day security scare in which indigenous protesters surrounded a Canberra restaurant and the prime minister and opposition leader were bundled away by police.
Senator Hogg said Mr Hallett had been “exercising some consideration in view of the circumstances” outside parliament.
But Mr Hallett had no intention of supporting the flag burning, he said.
He also said parliamentary officials had told the AFP charges over the incident should not be pursued, but the final decision was up to police.
Senator Hogg said he hoped there would not be a repeat of the same circumstances.
Liberal senator Scott Ryan said the decision to approve the fire appeared to have been made under duress.
“Decisions made in the heat of the moment do have consequences, and this is a consequence that many Australians would find very offensive,” Senator Ryan said.
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