Protest arrests, Bowen
Two women have been charged for alleged protest activity at a port facility near Bowen this morning.
Around 5.30am, police were advised of approximately twenty protesters at the scene and officers from Bowen attended.
Upon arrival, officers located two women who had allegedly locked themselves to a 200-litre drum of reinforced concrete.
As a result, a male officer was using a cutting tool to remove it when he sustained a minor cut to his left elbow.
The constable received first aid at the scene and returned to duty.
The two women were taken into custody and the remaining members of the group left without incident.
Both women, a 56-year-old from Highgate Hill and 22-year-old from Moorooka, have been charged with trespass on a railway, obstructing a railway and contravene a direction.
They are scheduled to appear in Bowen Magistrates Court on November 12.
The QPS acknowledges the right to lawful and peaceful protest and is committed to working with groups to facilitate protest through lawful activities.
However unlawful activity posing a risk to the safety of individuals or the disruption of services or operations lawfully undertaken by business will not be tolerated by the QPS.
Where possible the QPS engage with protest leaders in an attempt to ensure any protest actions are lawful and reasonable, and continues to urge protest leaders to engage with police in this regard.
The QPS continues to monitor for protest activity in the Galilee Basin across the Bowen, Collinsville and Clermont (Carmichael Mine) areas, with planning well advanced and sufficient to provide an appropriate and professional policing response where necessary.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Quote this reference number: QP1901909299.
