Tense scenes as protesters attend Liberal AGM

A peaceful demonstration has turned violent outside a gathering of Liberal Party figures in South Australia.

Protesters gather outside the Adelaide Convention Centre to express their displeasure with SA Premier Steven Marshall and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Protesters gather outside the Adelaide Convention Centre to express their displeasure with SA Premier Steven Marshall and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: Twitter/PSA_of_SA

A protester carrying an Aboriginal flag has clashed with police in violent scenes outside the South Australian Liberal state council.

Union and climate change activists chanted as delegates arrived at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday morning.
The peaceful demonstration turned violent when police stopped a man carrying an Aboriginal flag from entering the meeting.

An egg was dropped during the scuffle before the man was apprehended by several officers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has questioned GetUp!'s political independence, telling delegates the organisation is clearly aligned with the Liberal Party's political foes.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP
He noted that despite GetUp denying having anything to do with the attacks on Liberal candidates, the attacks only occurred in seats where GetUp ran campaigns.

The organisation should be ashamed of the "misogyny" and "bullying" in Boothby MP Nicolle Flint's seat, he says.
"In this term, we will revisit Getup's claim they are politically independent - because we need to shine a bright light on this shady group that operates in the shadows away from full disclosure," Mr Morrison will say.

Parliament's electoral matters committee has launched an inquiry into the 2019 election, including the role of groups such as GetUp, with a report due in mid-2020.
GetUp! National Director Paul Oosting.
GetUp! National Director Paul Oosting. Source: AAP
Liberal MPs are expected to make submissions to the inquiry arguing GetUp is a party-political "associated entity" and should be subjected to tougher standards of disclosure relating to its funding and campaign material.

However, GetUp national director Paul Oosting has consistently argued - backed by a series of previous inquiry reports - his organisation is a "political campaigner" and not associated with any political party.


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Tense scenes as protesters attend Liberal AGM | SBS News