Protesters crash Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese’s campaign events

The prospect of protesters crashing the media events of major parties is set to be a key feature of the 2025 election campaign, after three separate activists infiltrated politicians’ events on the first day of the hustings.

A protester confronts Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton at the XXXX beer factory during his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Brisbane, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

The prospect of protesters crashing the media events of major parties is set to be a key feature of the 2025 election campaign, after three separate activists infiltrated politicians’ events on the first day of the hustings.

Following a spate of disruptions over the past two weeks by climate activist group Rising Tide, which is backed by groups such as the Climate Action Network Australia, a protester was able to infiltrate Peter Dutton’s private XXXX brewery tour.

The rising tide activist, Natalie Lindner, was wearing the same high-vis vest as staff and the travelling press pack, and allegedly was also brandishing a fake press pass.

Unnoticed by the Coalition leader’s security detail or XXXX employees, Ms Lindner was able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr Dutton before unfurling a blue banner and decrying the Liberal leader’s “lies” about the climate impact and financial cost of his gas and nuclear policies.

When asked about the staged protest, Mr Dutton said activists such as those from Rising Tide were “extremists”.

“People who are extremists who want everything shut down tomorrow – that’s not where the vast majority of Australians are,” he said.

It is the fifth event crashed by Rising Tide, who were able to sneak into the Liberals’ post-budget reply fundraiser on Thursday night.

While some attendees of the $3000-a-head event said the protesters had been sitting on one of the tables, and thus must have bought a ticket, others said it was understood they had hid in the venue for hours before the event begun, before glueing themselves to a TV screen televising Mr Dutton’s address.

“The Coalition’s scheme to force nuclear into Australia’s energy grid is going to cost $600 billion to the taxpayer, add up to $1,200 to people’s energy bills, and produce 1.6 billion tonnes of climate pollution by 2050,” Ms Linders said.

“Dutton’s nuclear scheme will actively worsen the cost of living and climate crisis. We have just seen with ex tropical cyclone Alfred what the climate crisis is already doing to Australian communities. We cannot afford more distraction and delay with ridiculous energy policies like nuclear.”

Peter Dutton makes a funding announcement in a Chinese restaurant in Sunnybank Brisbane. Picture Thomas Lisson

A separate Rising Tide activist was able to crash Mr Dutton’s third event of the day at a Chinese restaurant in the Queensland seat of Moreton, but was barely able to speak before being escorted out by the AFP.

Anthony Albanese also faced protesters on his own campaign trail, with far right Laurence McIntyre, shouting questions at the Prime Minister and Treasurer Jim Chalmers in a press conference held in the seat of Brisbane.

Mr McIntyre grilled the politicians over the immigration program and the extra demand put on the housing and medical system as a result.

“What about the fact people my age can’t get any housing?” he continued, before being escorted off the premises.

The infiltration of events held by both major parties raise questions over security arrangements, particularly in light of rising threats being made against politicians.

Threats to federal parliamentarians reported to the AFP nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024, with more than 1000 incidents involving harassment, nuisance or offensive and threatening communications reported in the last financial year.