Angry locals send Adani protesters packing

Bob Brown’s “Stop Adani” protest convoy will return south after a hostile reception in Queensland.

Locals and pro-Adani supporters spill on to the street to protest against anti-Adani environment activists. Picture: Getty

Former federal Greens leader Bob Brown’s “Stop Adani” protest convoy — designed to elevate the issue during the federal election campaign — will return south today after a hostile reception in the central Queensland coalmining town of Clermont.

In one incident yesterday afternoon, a man on horseback rode wildly through the anti-Adani protesters at the town’s showgrounds, knocking over a woman in her 60s, who was struck unconscious and had to be taken to hospital.

Police arrested a 41-year-old local man half an hour later and he was expected to face charges.

Fears that shots had been fired near the protesters’ camp in the town prompted an emergency call to police just before midnight on Saturday. The loud noise was later attributed to fireworks.

Pauline Hanson wears a hard hat for a photo during a meeting with locals protesting against anti-Adani environment activists. Picture: Getty

Counter-protesters had greeted the 400-strong convoy on ­arrival in Clermont earlier shouting “Go home” and waving placards declaring “Start Adani”.

Dr Brown said rocks were hurled at cars, Stop Adani flags were torn from vehicles and young families and women were abused and threatened.

About 40 convoy members had their dinner reservations cancelled. The injured woman had been with the convoy since the start, he said.

“People got frightened yesterday, and they didn’t deserve that,” Dr Brown said. “But we’re all ­together and we’re very happy that we’ve been making it clear — this convoy is to tell Australian voters, ‘You’ve got a choice, Adani or your children, but you can’t have both.’ ”

The town’s three pubs refused to serve the visitors, with a sign hung from a hotel saying: “Go home and turn off your power and walk.” Another read: “Mr Brown and `Stop Adani’ protesters, you may have travelled far and wide but you won’t get food inside.”

Locals and pro-Adani supporters gather outside the Commercial Hotel. Picture: Getty

Resources Minister Matt Canavan, United Australia Party ­leader Clive Palmer, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Senate candidate Malcolm Roberts ­arrived in Clermont in support of the coal industry.

Senator Canavan said ­people wanted “a future for their kids”.

“That’s why they support projects like Adani that are going to provide thousands of jobs in ­central Queensland,” he said.

The Bob Brown Foundation convoy began in Tasmania and travelled up the east coast to Clermont for yesterday’s rally.

Bob Brown in the crowd at the indigenous welcome to country event, during his Anti Adani Convoy. Picture: AAP

The town of 3000 is the closest to the proposed Adani coalmine in the Galilee Basin.

Senior Sergeant Mike Bailey said claims of violent clashes were exaggerated. “There was a bit of heckling yesterday, but it is all very under control. Today is even ­quieter. They are at the showgrounds, where they are allowed to be. There’s been no official complaints from either pro or anti- Adani protesters.”

Dr Brown said his convoy was “very grateful to the Queensland police for keeping the peace as they did” and had not lodged official complaints.

Despite the counter-protests, he had received a “fantastic reception from the traditional owners and other Clermont locals”.

The convoy will head to Canberra for a rally next weekend.

Additional reporting: AAP