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Protesters disrupt ethical investment forum

Protesters against immigration detention centres have taken the stage at an ethical investment conference in Melbourne.

Broadspectrum chairman Diane Gander-Smith was a late cancellation at the conference..
Broadspectrum chairman Diane Gander-Smith was a late cancellation at the conference..

A conference on ethical investment in Melbourne this morning has been disrupted by protesters against immigration detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island.

About a dozen protesters took to the stage at the Sofitel Hotel during a panel at which Diane Smith-Gander, the chairman of detention centre operator Broadspectrum, was booked to appear.

However, Ms Gander-Smith was a late cancellation.

The protesters held up banners calling on investors to divest from the detention centre business and chanted “bullshit, come off it, refugees are not for profit.”

Moderator Ali Moore called a break in proceedings.

The protesters left the stage after being told police would be called.

There were scenes of confusion outside the auditorium as hotel security attempted to push the protesters from the venue.

Spokesman for the protesters Javed de Silva said they were from activist coalition Divest From Detention Network.

He said the group would continue to target anyone investing in the detention centre industry.

Ben ButlerNational Investigations Editor

Ben Butler has investigated everything from bikie gangs to multibillion dollar international frauds, with a particular focus on the intersection between the corporate and criminal worlds. He has previously worked for mastheads including The Age, The Australian and The Guardian.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/protesters-disrupt-ethical-investment-forum/news-story/302078afc9abd9bd5f92cecc0332de17