Canberra today – Parliament, indigenous tribes come together in support.
Police bill blows out as Canberrans protest
As it’s revealed the bill for the protesters has blown out to more than $2.45 million, Canberrans are being warned to brace themselves for further impacts to the road and transport system with further disruption planned in the lead-up to the Federal Budget next week.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said while he understood it was “incredibly frustrating” that “protesters were not being respectful of Canberrans trying to go about their daily lives”, it was simply part and parcel of living in the National Capital.
He urged people to plan their journeys this weekend ahead of time and do what they can to avoid the Parliamentary Triangle while protest activity is underway.
Mr Steel said he was happy with what he described as a “proactive police response” to the protesters so far.
ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan this morning said he understood Canberrans were getting frustrated with the “annoying” protesters who have now been hanging around for more than three months and had cost the AFP $2.475 million.