Adani protesters interrupt Labor leader Bill Shorten’s speech at ALP national conference

Bill Shorten’s keynote address to the Labor national conference was derailed by climate change protesters who stormed the stage waving anti-Adani flags in Adelaide on Sunday.

Bill Shorten’s keynote address to the Labor national conference was derailed by climate change protesters who stormed the stage waving anti-Adani flags.

In what was supposed to be the Opposition Leader’s rousing call to arms to a crowd of 400 delegates before next year’s federal poll, Mr Shorten was forced to contend with 25-year-old activist ringleader Isaac Astill marching on to his stage and yelling “will you please stop the Adani coal mine”.

Mr Shorten accepted the anti-Adani flag shortly before security cleared the stage, causing delays to the address to the party faithful.

One protester was also arrested for allegedly trespassing later in the day.

‘Anti-Adani’ protesters are removed from stage as Australian Opposition leader Bill Shorten speaks during day one of the Labor Party National Conference on Sunday. Picture: AAP

The stunt angered the Labor Leader prompting him to warn the group of anti-coal ad pro-refugee protesters demonstrating outside the event that their actions were only aiding the Coalition.

“I do acknowledge people have got a right to protest but you have got to ask yourself when you see these protests, who is the winner? It is the Coalition,” Mr Shorten said.

“And what we are going to do as Australia’s oldest and continuous progressive political party, is we will not be deterred because our eyes on the prize of a better and fairer Australia.”

“We have had two protests, and goodness knows what the current Prime Minister will do to try and upstage it.”

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Mr Shorten with wife Chloe is applauded by delegates as he arrived at the national conference on Sunday. Picture: AAP

Mr Astill — who was escorted off stage by security — said he would continue protesting Labor until Mr Shorten promised to fight the coal mine.

“Australians are looking for political leaders who will stand up to the mining billionaires,” he said.

“Yet Bill Shorten and the Labor Party still support Adani’s mine, opening up one of the largest untapped coal reserves on Earth.”

A large contingent of refugee and climate change protesters have planned to demonstrate for the entire conference.

They are being watched by dozens of police who are posted at entrance points to keep the groups away.

Later in the day a smaller group of “recognise Palestine” activists picketed outside the event.

Labor delegates will vote on a motion to recognise Palestine as a state later in the week.