ADF criticised for ‘overkill’ reaction to Sydney protest plans with staff told to work from home, avoid HQ

A group of nine protesters have brought the Australian Defence Force to heel after their small rally led to staff being advised to work from home in what has been labelled an “overkill” reaction. Here’s the latest.

A group of nine protesters have brought the Australian Defence Force to heel with personnel instructed to leave through different doors and work from home over concerns the rally, held at the Sydney defence headquarters, posed safety threats to staff.

ADF employees received emails and text messages this week with instructions to avoid Defence Plaza on Pitt St from “1200 hours” when a fringe Filipino organisation, Bayan Australia, planned to stage an antimilitary rally on Tuesday.

But only nine protesters, flanked by two police officers, turned up to hold signs and give speeches, prompting former NSW counter-terrorism minister David Elliot to label the ADF’s response an “overkill”.

Mr Elliot said ADF intelligence could not have known the exact number of people that planned to attend, but criticised the decision to disrupt operations when any protest is due to be held.

“This sets a very dangerous precedent for future protesters who now know …. minimum preparation will provide maximum disruption,” he said.

Eight people, and one person filimg the protest, rallied outside Defence Plaza Sydney on Tuesday, which prompted ADF to change operations. Picture: Elizabeth Pike

“We can’t have the ADF surrendering for protests, not under the current climate. They should have had federal police there (at least) to guarantee entry and exit, it’s very sad.”

In response to the concerns, a Defence spokesman said the precautions were “normal practice with activity of this nature”.

US Marines take part in a counter-landing live fire exercise during the annual US-Philippines joint military "Balikatan" exercise in Rizal, Palawan on April 28, 2025. Picture: AFP

“Given the potential CBD disruption, staff who work at the location were advised to work from alternative sites if practical,” they said.

A representative for Bayan Australia and its allied organisations, Peter Murphy, demanded Australia pull hundreds of troops out of the 40th annual “Balikatan” military exercise between the Philippines and US Armed Forces, which runs from April 21 to May 9.

The exercise, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is considered a key training opportunity for Australian forces and 15,000 other personnel from a range of countries to develop military operations in the Indo-Pacific.

But Mr Murphy likened the event to a “full battle rehearsal for war with China” as tensions escalate across the region, while Bayan Australia, a self-described “alliance of progressive Filipino mass organisations,” protested against the exercise as an attempt to mask domestic issues in the Philippines.

It comes after Bayan Australia also planned to stage rallies in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney on Monday at public protest locations.

Bayan Australia annoucment for a “mass rally” to protest the Balikatan exercise.

ADF joint operations chief Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO previously announced Australia would be taking part in “Exercise Balikatan” to improve operations with other countries, including the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands who will be attending for the first time.

Australia has participated in Balikatan since 2014, alongside Japan, the UK, France and Canada, as efforts mount to counter China’s growing assertiveness towards Taiwan and neighbouring countries in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines is one of our closest partners and friends, and under our Strategic Partnership, our defence relationship continues to deepen,’ Vice Admiral Jones said.

“Australia’s participation demonstrates our commitment to security and stability, and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.”

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Originally published as ADF criticised for ‘overkill’ reaction to Sydney protest plans with staff told to work from home, avoid HQ