This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/14/queensland-man-throws-shoes-at-peter-dutton-in-protest-over-refugee-policies

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Queensland man throws shoes at Peter Dutton in protest over refugee policies Queensland man throws shoes at Peter Dutton in protest over refugee policies
(about 2 hours later)
A Queensland man has thrown his shoes at the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, to protest the federal government’s refugee policies. A Queensland protester who threw his shoes at the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, during a refugee welcoming festival says he has no regrets after being charged by police.
Dutton was about to speak at a festival to welcome refugees at Annerley, in Brisbane’s west, when 33-year-old David Sprigg threw both his shoes. Dutton was in Annerley in Brisbane on Sunday to attend Welcomefest – an event designed to acknowledge Australia’s newest citizens from countries including Somalia, Burma and Congo.
“I think he should be ashamed for what his government is doing and how asylum seekers are being treated in detention centres,” Sprigg said after being released from the Brisbane watch house on public nuisance charges. The minister was just about to deliver a speech when David Sprigg, 33, stood up and yelled at Dutton before throwing his shoes to protest the government’s refugee policies.
Dutton reportedly caught one of the shoes and brushed off the incident.
Sprigg was charged with public nuisance and taken to the Brisbane watch house.
“I think he should be ashamed for what his government is doing and how asylum seekers are being treated in detention centres,” Sprigg said after being released on Sunday afternoon.
“When they use language like ‘queue jumpers’ and ‘illegal arrivals’, I think they’re really just turning the public against refugees.”
Sprigg accused Dutton of hypocrisy over the government’s policy of turning back asylum seeker boats.
“Here he is welcoming refugees, but his government isn’t welcoming refugees at all – they’re doing the absolute opposite,” Sprigg said.
He said he didn’t regret his spur of the moment protest.
“The people in detention are just suffering so much and to be publicly shamed by having shoes thrown at you seems insignificant compared to how many refugees are locked up and mistreated every day.”
Sprigg will face court on June 30.
Dutton’s office has been contacted for comment.