Protesters Dragged From ALP Conference During Asylum Seeker Debate

Protesters against Bill Shorten‘s controversial support of a “turn back boats” immigration policy have been dragged and evicted from the ALP’s conference in Melbourne this afternoon, according to reports.

The protesters took the stage during a debate on Labor’s asylum seeker policy, while MP Andrew Giles, who has spoken out against Shorten’s support for the policy, spoke on boat turn-backs.

Security escorted protesters off-stage, with some reportedly shouting, “drown Shorten.”

The protest follows on from booing that briefly interrupted Bill Shorten’s opening address at the conference yesterday when the Opposition leader mentioned Shadow Immigration Minister Richard Marles‘ work.  

A debate on Labor’s asylum seeker policy was held before voting on the party’s position on boat turn-backs. Michelle O’Neill of the Victorian Left was among the speakers advocating against turn-backs, saying, “When you turn a boat around, you are turning a boat around into a risky, unsafe perilous journey.”

Former Immigration Minister Tony Burke showed support for the policy. “Thirty three lives were lost on my watch. One of them was ten weeks old,” Burke said, Our compassion has to reach everyone our policies affect. If we give hope to the trade, we will end up helping fewer people, and hundreds will start the journey but never complete it.”

Senior ALP heavyweights Tanya Plibersek and Penny Wong proxied their vote—essentially giving their votes to other members to cast, dodging a public declaration of their direct opposition to Bill Shorten’s position— and overall, the vote to prohibit boat turn-backs was lost – AKA Bill Shorten’s views on asylum seeker policy has won the majority’s support.

Anthony Albanese voted against boat turn-backs. 


According to Fairfax, Albanese criticised those – including Plibersek and Wong – for “doing nothing” over the issue they’re actively against. “Unlike other caucus members I won’t just sit there and do nothing,” Anthony Albanese said.

FIRE. UP.

In Melbourne, demanding that the ALP overturn their position on asylum seeker turn backs. #alpconf

A photo posted by Jemma Nott (@jemzy212) on


Lead image via Twitter.

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