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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Alex Crowe, Andrew Brown

Protesters taken into custody over continued Parliament House disruption

Ten protesters have been taken into custody over an attempt to block access to Parliament House on Wednesday.

Disruptions to traffic continued through mid-morning following an Extinction Rebellion demonstration.

Climate-change activists parked trucks over the roads leading to Parliament House in the early hours, in an attempt to draw attention to a lack of federal focus on the environment.

Several entrances were partially blocked from around 6.30am, creating disruption following Tuesday's 2021 budget delivery.

Two trucks were parked blocking major roads while a third was stopped by police, with the driver being arrested at the scene.

A further four people were arrested from a truck that blocked parts of Commonwealth Avenue after having stopped traffic for more than six hours.

Extinction Rebellion protestors used trucks to disrupt traffic en route to Parliament House on Wednesday. Picture: Karleen Minney

Two women were removed by police after being cut out of lock-on devices.

Protest organiser Jane Morton said of the 10 that were arrested, one has been released from custody, while two more that have been charged with unreasonable obstruction of the road will appear before court in June.

"The remaining seven are waiting to be seen. They have been offered bail conditions, which they may or may not accept," Ms Morton said.

"If they don't accept, they will be held in the watch house and will be in court the next day."

Parliament House pass holders were being directed past the disruption, while some members of the public were being redirected.

An ACT police spokesperson said members of the public should be aware of delays and that they may be redirected.

Police direct traffic around the climate-change activists on the Kings Avenue ramp up to Parliament House. Picture: Alex Crowe

Several members of the international activist organisation successfully chained themselves to truck roofs before sunrise on Wednesday, resisting attempts from the Australian Federal Police to move them on, before they were arrested hours later.

While the protesters were unsuccessful in their attempts to block all access points to Parliament House, traffic was slowed for political staff and members of the media heading to the hill post budget.

Extinction Rebellion activist Mary-Christiesaid she was taking part in protests this week because it was a moral duty to protect the Earth from people who care more about money than the future of young people.

"It is not business as usual when our planet is warming at a catastrophic rate," Mary-Christie said.

"It is not business as usual when 200 species per day become extinct.

"It can't be business as usual when we are facing a climate and ecological emergency."

Extinction Rebellion protesters blocked government drivers from leaving the Fyshwick car-storage facility on Tuesday, reportedly delaying politicians' commute to Parliament House.

A 21-year-old man was arrested for trespassing and failing to provide his details to police. The man was charged in the ACT courts on Tuesday.

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