Serial pests: Climate change activists block Brisbane CBD

Pauline Hanson demands police get tough on activists who cause chaos on the streets of Brisbane.

Pauline Hanson wants police to get tough on Extinction Rebellion protesters who block early morning peak hour traffic in Brisbane.

Pauline Hanson says she wants police to break up protests and fine activists after climate change marchers caused traffic chaos on the streets of Brisbane today.

Angry drivers blared their horns at the 40-person group from Extinction Rebellion as they moved between and blocked four key intersections within the city for about 10 minutes at a time.

The small group met at Queens Park at 7.30am before moving down George St, blocking intersections at Elizabeth, Adelaide and Turbot streets.

Protesters carried signs that apologised to commuters for blockages, while others promoted the upcoming “Rebellion Day” on August 6.

Frustrated drivers were seen exiting their cars to see what the hold up was, showing their anger through blaring horns.

.@PaulineHansonOz: Police tend to step back from protestors because they've been told by their political masters not to intervene. People are fed up with those who think they can do whatever they like.

MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #KennyReport pic.twitter.com/hWhE4jpUgg

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) July 11, 2019

One protester, Tom Howell, said in a livestream on the Extinction Rebellion SEQ Facebook page that a little bit of inconvenience is necessary in the long run.

“Today we have been swarming because disruptions are necessary to literally force the change we need to see,” Mr Howell said.

“We have literally seen criminal inaction from businesses and industry on the climate crisis. So, we are here to literally force into the conversation and force a bit of a different angle so we can appropriately deal with the threat of extinction.”

“We are going to keep doing this until our demands are met. Brisbane has to get used to this.”

The same group were responsible for placing a canoe across several lanes of the Victoria Bridge in South Brisbane last month.

Frustration as protests close traffic in Brisbane. Horns blowing.⁦@abcbrisbane⁩ pic.twitter.com/7rmfMDNgXZ

— Anthony Frangi (@frangiman) July 11, 2019

The One Nation leader accused police commanders of instructing their officers on the ground not to go near the protesters.

“It’s not good enough, I think they should be stopped. Give them a fine,” Senator Hanson told Sky News. “The police tend to step back from them. They tend to be told by their masters, the political side of the wing, to actually not intervene and not do anything about it.

“People are sick of these protesters who think they have control and think they can do whatever they want.

“It’s not the police, they’re being told by their superiors what to do.”

Senator Hanson has joined the likes of Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington in condemning today’s protests.

Ms Frecklington took to Twitter to call for stronger police action.

The clowns are on the loose again. These serial pests need to stop disrupting Queensland commuters and protest in a park. #qldpol #auspol https://t.co/LPqdo323x6

— Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) July 10, 2019

“Seriously, these people are becoming serial pests to Brisbane commuters. I have no problem with peaceful protest but this is deliberate disruption. Police should throw the book at them and send them the bill,” she said.

Ms Frecklington tweeted: “The clowns are on the loose again. These serial pests need to stop disrupting Queensland commuters and protest in a park.”

Queensland Police were unable to confirm to The Australian this morning whether any fines were given out or arrests were made.