Arrest made after Free Palestine protesters confront Anthony Albanese at Rydges Palmerston

A man has been arrested as footage emerges of a heated clash between protesters and AFP at a dinner for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Northern Territory.

Footage has emerged of a heated clash between protesters and Australian Federal Police officers at a dinner for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Northern Territory on Friday night.

A 51-year-old man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer in relation to the incident.

In the confronting footage, Free Palestine protesters, including some with children, can be heard screaming ‘ceasefire’ and ‘Free Palestine’ and being pushed back by AFP at Rydges Palmerston, about 20 minutes outside the NT capital of Darwin.

A Free Palestine protester is pushed away by security.

Members of what appears to AFP security for the Prime Minister were in physical tussles with the protesters as they attempted to barge their way into a private function room where an intimate $5000-a-head Labor fundraising dinner was being held.

Free Palestine protesters jostle with security.

The dinner was also attended by Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who had earlier met with the PM to discuss ‘critical minerals, the space industry and defence’ in the Top End.

Discussing critical minerals, the space industry and defence in the Top End with Chief Minister @NatashaFylesMLApic.twitter.com/U4xo3xiC4A

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 3, 2023

Free Palestine protesters, who have previously staged protests including at the entry to the Pine Gap defence base, issued a statement overnight, confirming they “loudly disrupted the dinner at the moment Mr Albanese walked into the Palmerston restaurant, displaying signs with the Palestinian flag and chanting, ‘Free Palestine – ceasefire now – blood on your hands, Albanese’.”

Free Palestine protesters clashed with security at the Rydges Palmerston near Darwin, NT where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was attending a dinner on Friday, November 3, 2023.

Mitchell Chute from the group said they felt a ‘moral obligation’ to confront the PM.

“There is a genocide happening in Palestine and through diplomatic and military ties Australia is supporting it,” Mr Chute said.

A Free Palestine protester with children on each hip clashes with security at the Rydges Palmerston near Darwin.

“The people of Darwin and Palmerston demonstrated tonight that they will not sit by and let their governments support crimes against humanity.

“At the same time as the Prime Minister and Territory politicians attended this secret, exclusive $5000 a head dinner, Palestinian children, women, and men are being killed.

“The Australian government has blood on its hands.”