By Angela Luvera
BRISBANE — Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer was invited by Griffith University to give a guest lecture on foreign affairs on October 29.
Activists from the Griffith University student representative council called a picket of the lecture. At the organising meeting, a motion was passed to attempt to shut down the meeting.
Thirty people gathered for the protest and entered the lecture theatre where Downer was scheduled to speak. As Downer entered the room, protesters chanted "Education for all, not just the rich". Chanting continued until the police attempted to forcibly remove the protesters; then the meeting was moved to an adjacent lecture theatre.
As Downer attempted to leave, protesters placed themselves in front of the car and were violently removed by police.
Downer's response to the attempt to "shut down" the meeting was, "And what do you think about free speech?". During question time, supporters of East Timor were able to ask Downer questions on Australia's training of the Indonesian military.