Friday, 13 July, 2007

by Jim Kelly
Sunday Times

WA POLICE have been accused of using excessive force to break up a protest at the Subiaco office of Federal Science Minister Julie Bishop.

Several protesters were arrested and one was treated by St John paramedics after officers used batons and pepper spray to remove anti-nuclear waste dump campaigners from the minister's Rokeby Rd office.

Ms Bishop was surrounded by a rowdy mob when she drove into her car park at about 3pm and retreated upstairs as protesters continued to shout at her.

Several protesters from the group of about 50 then entered the office and allegedly refused to leave.

Protester Natalie Wasley said she was negotiating a peaceful exit with police officers inside the building drew their batons.

"We didn't get a chance to leave peacefully," she said.

"The police just started pepper spraying people, hitting them with batons and throwing them to the floor.

"It was absolutely shameful."

The protesters had travelled from around the country to deliver a letter to Ms Bishop requesting she visit Northern Territory communities before deciding to go ahead with a proposed waste dump.

Dozens of police swooped on the office and closed Rokeby Rd as the protesters, some with their eyes streaming after being pepper sprayed, retreated to a nearby park.

Ms Walsey denied the the group had provoked the violence.

Police spokesman Sgt Graham Clifford was unapologetic, saying they had responded appropriately.

"Police use appropriate force," he said.

"When they start breaking into a place and spraying graffiti then police will take firm and appropriate action."

A spokesman for Ms Bishop said the minister was shaken by the events.