The Queensland Greens say that the police action in holding a Scenic Rim coal seam gas protestor for 5 hours before charging and releasing her this afternoon is intimidation.
"It hardly seems a coincidence that as rumours of an election announcement for Monday draw near we have heavy handed treatment of citizens campaigning on an issue that embarrasses the state government," Queensland Greens state spokesperson Libby Connors said this afternoon.
"This was a first-time protestor who was standing on public land in front of an entry gate but she has been charged under the Queensland Petroleum and Gas Act rather than the state's police act usually used for civil protests.
"A breach of the Petroleum and Gas Act carries penalties of up to $50 000 in fines.
"Like the banning of the csg protestors from participation in the Chinchilla May Day festival last year, this is a betrayal of the labour tradition by a state Labor Government hell-bent on pushing ahead with coal seam gas at any price.
"I was arrested at Tara last April and it was my first arrest since the Bjelke-Petersen era," spokesperson Libby Connors pointed out today.
"This government is actually worse than the Bjelke-Petersen government as police in those days only ever used the police move on powers to block legitimate public protest.
"Now we have special legislation with severe fines to stop an industry that has no social licence and has been forced on the Queensland public without sufficient debate.
"Anna Bligh needs to take a long hard look at herself and the betrayal of principles of civil rights enacted in shameful legislation such as the Petroleum and Gas Act passed by this government.
"It is also deeply disturbing to note the inconsistency in policing which inevitably raises questions of politicisation of the Queensland police force.
"They are being used as if they are a private security force for the gas corporations and it shows a disturbing lack of independence and leadership from the police service."
Contact: Libby Connors 0429 487 110