Logan refugee camps cleared out after three-week protest

A three-week refugee protest outside Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Queensland office has finally come to an end, after members were evicted from the carpark south of Brisbane as its impact spread to nearby businesses.

A refugee camp in a carpark south of Brisbane has been cleared out after a three-week protest.

A group of refugees started a 24/7 vigil three weeks ago in Logan Central Plaza carpark outside Labor MP Jim Chalmers’ electoral office, demanding permanent residency in Australia.

Around five security guards from the shopping centre approached the group at 5.45pm on Tuesday, starting to remove their marquees, banners, tables and tents from their property.

Security guards clear out a protester's tent at Logan Central Plaza carpark on Tuesday, September 10. Picture: Grace Koo

Around 100 protesters continued chanting “justice for refugees”, “15 years’ too long” and “free the refugees”.

While protesting, a woman suddenly collapsed on the ground.

Two ambulances arrived, and paramedics treated her.

The group claimed they received a letter from managing agent Retail First director John Green around 2pm on Tuesday.

“The property including the car park is private property and as such, you may only enter or remain on the property if you are an invitee,” the letter said.

“It has come to our attention that you are currently engaging in protest activities on the property without the owner’s authority for you to do so.

A woman falls on the ground at Logan Central Plaza carpark on Tuesday, September 10. Picture: Grace Koo

“We understand and appreciate the passion behind your protest.

“However, the ongoing occupation is now affecting business for our retailers and tenants, and we have an obligation to support their ability to trade without disruption.

“Please be advised that your presence on the property whilst you are engaging in protest activities is unauthorised and consequently, you are now regarded by the owner as a trespasser.

“It does not matter that the Queensland Police Service has granted you permission to continue your protest until September 16, 2024, because that permission does not override the owner’s common law rights in relation to trespass.

“We now request that you cease all protest activities on the Property and vacate the Property by no later than 5.00pm September 10, 2024.

“If you fail to comply with this request, then we will seek assistance from the owner’s security personnel and/or the Queensland Police Service in relation to this matter.”

The Coureir-Mail confirmed the group held police permission to hold a public assembly for approximately 30 people at the location.

Refugee Action Collective spokesman Mark Gillespie said the centre had an opportunity to oppose when they put in the application.

“If they didn’t like us protesting here, they could have taken us to court,” he said.

“They still got that opportunity now, because I put in another notification (application) for another peaceful assembly from September 16 to August 31.”

Mr Gillespie also said the protest was downsized as required by the shopping centre.

“We were told by the police that the shopping centre thought we had too many marquees and too many tents,” he said.

“They wanted us to downsize it, and we did.

“Our notification was not opposed, so we assumed that the cops were talking to the shopping centre about the size of the structures here.

“We felt like we accommodated them, and they were happy.”

Protesters communicate with a security guard at Logan Central Plaza carpark on Tuesday, September 10. Picture: Grace Koo

Protesters chant at Logan Central Bus Station on Tuesday, September 10. Picture: Grace Koo

Protesters communicated with the security and peacefully left the carpark following the clearance, but they including 34-year-old Thienushan Chandrasekaram continued to chant on Wembley Rd.

“We have been here (in Australia for the) last 12 years,” Mr Chandrasekaram said.

“Our lives are already evicted.”

A Retail First spokeswoman said it allowed them to protest for more than two weeks.

“We have to prioritise our legal obligation to enable our tenants to trade,” she said.

“Tenants and customers had complained, and we are legally obliged to enable our tenants to operate without disruption.”

She said there were discussions over a few days, and letter was issued on Monday.

“The lead up discussions were very positive, and they had verbally agreed to vacating,” she said.

“We didn’t object and had empathy for their cause.”