Anthony Albanese is rushed to his car by his Federal Police protective officers after angry farmer protest erupts during a visit to the bush
- Prime Minister swarmed by protestors
- Farmers opposed to a powerlines project
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Anthony Albanese was forced to rush to the safety of his car after angry farmers gatecrashed an event in regional Victoria.
Mr Albanese was opening a regional water play park in Horsham, in Victoria’s Wimmera region three-and-a-half hours north-west of Melbourne on Thursday when the event was disrupted by farmers, protesting a powerlines project in the region.
Local media, including ABC Wimmera and the Mail-Times newspaper, reported that Mr Albanese rushed to his car to avoid the angry demonstrators.
The Mail-Times said he was accompanied to his car under escort by his Federal Police protective detail.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was opening a regional water play park in Horsham, in Victoria’s Wimmera region on Thursday when the event was disrupted by protestors
About 40 farmers attended the event, hoping to speak with Mr Albanese about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West project
Protestors made ‘offensive hand gestures at his departing convoy and cheered and hugged when he was gone’, the ABC reported.
Mr Albanese later said: ‘It wasn’t quite clear what they were demonstrating about.’
He said there had been ‘substantive consultations’ with the community which would be ongoing.
‘People are always entitled to put forward their views but should do it respectfully,’ he said.
It is understood about 40 farmers gatecrashed the event hoping to speak with the Prime Minister about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West project.
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Dozens gathered in protest of the planned Interconnector West project
Victorian farmer Glenden Watts travelled to Horsham from Charlton to speak with the national leader.
‘We came across today to raise some awareness,’ he told the Mail-Times.
‘There needs to be a senate inquiry. It’s his government that’s pushing this through.’
Mr Watts said a large police presence stopped him and other demonstrators from speaking directly with the Prime Minister.
He also said more protests were planned, including in Melbourne.
Mr Albanese is the first sitting prime minister to visit Horsham in eight years.
Daily Mail Australia has sought comment from the Australian Federal Police.
