Police preparing for protest at NSW/Qld border

Queensland and NSW police are preparing a “joint response” to combat any protest activity to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s wild scenes at the state border. FULL DETAILS >>>

QUEENSLAND and NSW police are preparing a “joint response” to combat any protest activity to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s wild scenes at the state border.

A crowd of 1000 people gathered at the border last Sunday protesting Covid-19 restrictions, and while beginning peaceful in Queensland many from NSW crossed state lines in breach of health orders.

Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said officers were ready for a protest if one was to go ahead.

A protester at an anti-lockdown protest on the Gold Coast being taken into custody by police. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve got no direct intelligence but we are preparing a joint response with NSW police around any possible protests that may occur,” he said.

“If intelligence comes to hand that there’ll be greater numbers of protesters then we’ll increase our staffing to suit.

“For us it’s always about keeping the community safe.

“We’re preparing for one on the weekend, and if it eventuates, we’ll respond and if not we’ll redeploy resources into other operational duties down towards the border.”

He would not say how many resources were planned for the weekend.

Police at the Queensland border. Miles Street, Coolangatta. Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“What I can say is we’ve got a variety of response capabilities available to us, depending on the crowd size and behaviour.

“Any protest activity that is planned we just encourage anyone involved, including the organisers, to ensure it’s peaceful in nature.”

After last weekend’s demonstration six people were charged and almost $120,000 in fines issued in NSW to protesters for a range of health order breaches.

In Queensland a man was charged after allegedly throwing an egg into a crowd.

On Wednesday a Hollywood stuntman, who rode through the crowd on a horse and across the border during the protest was hit with more than $7000 in fines.