Bendigo police officer Todd Deary was shocked and appalled by a violent protest that interrupted the Prime Minister’s National Emergency Medal presentation on Australia Day.
Leading Senior Constable Deary – at the presentation to recieve a medal for his work during the Black Saturday bushfires – said the angry mob descended on the Lobby Restaurant “about four-fifths” of the way through the ceremony.
“They were only camped 300 metres away from where we were,” he said.
“They came to the walls of the restaurant, which were glass.
“They were banging on the walls so hard, I thought the glass was going to break.”
The protesters – members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy – had been angered by a comment from Tony Abbott they thought meant he wanted the embassy to be moved on.
Leading Senior Constable Deary said hundreds of people descended on the restaurant where Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott were speaking.
He said the crowd were swearing at Julia Gillard and chanting.
“It really spoilt it because there was about half a dozen people yet to receive the awards,” he said.
“The media just took their attention away from the ceremony and went to the protesters.”
Leading Senior Constable Deary said the atmosphere was tense.
“The Prime Minister’s people were panicking and wanted to get her out. In the end they said it was too dangerous and they had to leave,” he said.
A seasoned police officer, Leading Senior Constable Deary asked if he could help out.
He helped man the doors when the Federal Police went out to evaluate the situation.
He said he was amazed at Ms Gillard’s calmness under pressure. “I reckon Tony Abbott looked more frightened,” he laughed.
“I wasn’t sure of Julia Gillard before it, but she’s certainly gone up in my estimation.
“When she got told she had to leave the first thing she asked was how Tony Abbott was going to get out.
“I thought that was pretty good. Without even thinking she said that.”
Leading Senior Constable Deary said Ms Gillard even tried to make it up to the medal recipients at the evening’s dinner function.
“The Prime Minister got us all together and made special mention to those who had missed out during the ceremony,” he said. “You have to give her full marks for that, she really went out of her way.”
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