Parliament climate protest: eight held

Eight Extinction Rebellion demonstrators have been arrested after they vandalised Parliament House and The Lodge.

Extinction Rebellion protesters set fire to a pram and glued their hands to the Parliament House forecourt in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Eight Extinction Rebellion demonstrators have been arrested after they vandalised Parliament House and The Lodge.

As part of demands for urgent action on climate change, protesters used red spray paint to graffiti “Duty of Care” onto the marble pillars of Parliament House, before letting off flares and burning a pram. Extinction Rebellion said the measures were symbolic of a “government that wants to cook our kids”.

Extinction Rebellion protesters spray-painted the front of Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage

The Prime Minister said the protesters’ actions weren’t the “Australian way”.

Police said eight people had been arrested for “property damage and other offences.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the vandalism was “terribly disappointing”.

A fire burns on the Parliament House forecourt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“It’s taxpayers who foot the bill for the damage. There are better ways to get your message across,” Mr Pitt said.

A policeman uses a fire extinguisher to put out a pram that was on fire while a young female protester sits on the Parliament forecourt. Picture: Gary Ramage