A major pre-election speech by Peter Dutton has been derailed by two anti-nuclear protesters.
The Opposition Leader was addressing the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Thursday morning when an audience member leapt out of his seat to protest the Coalition’s policy of building nuclear power plants.
The man tried to unveil a banner but was stopped by two security guards who quickly bundled him out of the venue.
‘Mr Dutton, why are you lying to the Australian people about the cost of nuclear?’, the man shouted before he was forcibly removed.
The Liberal leader continued detailing the Coalition’s foreign policy agenda unperturbed.
But he was interrupted again just moments later by another man who tried to talk over him.
That protester too was dragged out by a security guard, and fell onto the lap of another attendee in the process.
The Coalition has vowed to build seven nuclear power stations across Australia to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while also providing cheaper, more reliable power than renewables like solar and wind.
The angry audience member leapt out of his seat (pictured) to protest the Coalition’s pro-nuclear power policy as Peter Dutton gave a major pre-election speech
The man (pictured) was dragged out by a security guard, and fell on to the lap of another attendee in the process
Critics of the policy point to the expense of building the plants, and claim it will allow for more gas and coal production in the interim before the nuclear facilities are operational.
It marks the second time in as many days that environmental demonstrators have disrupted major political speeches.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers was forced to halt a keynote speech about the nation’s finances when protesters twice crashed the stage on Tuesday.
Dr Chalmers had just begun his speech at the Queensland Media Club when a man appeared behind him carrying a sign which read: ‘No new coal or gas’.
The treasurer appeared to almost jump in fright as he spun around to see who was approaching, and broke off his address.
‘Australia cannot afford any more climate disasters… When will the Labor Party stop funding more coal and gas projects?’ the protester shouted.
Several other protesters appeared moments later on the stage.
The usually-unflappable Dr Chalmers let out a nervous laugh before he resumed reading from the autocue.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers was forced to halt a keynote speech about the nation’s finances when environmental protesters twice crashed the stage on Tuesday (pictured)
His speech warned that clean-up costs and the impact on the economy from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred could hit GDP by up to $1.2billion.
Dr Chalmers also sought to downplay expectations of any major policy changes in next week’s pre-election budget, as most of the policies ‘have already been announced’.
These include the $8.5billion investment in strengthening Medicare, the $7.2billion for upgrades to the Bruce Highway and wiping up to $19billion in student debt for up to three million graduates.
The budget will be handed down on Tuesday, March 25.