Qld: Cabinet papers reveal reward for protest quellers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
Qld: Cabinet papers reveal reward for protest quellers
(EDS: Embargoed to 0001 January 1, 2002)





Secret Cabinet papers have revealed police were given a week's leave as a reward for
quelling protests over the controversial Springbok rugby tour of Queensland in 1971.

The 1971 Queensland Cabinet papers, released today under the 30-year rule, say all
police personnel received the reward for duties performed between July 20th and August
4th, 1971.

Police were widely accused of heavy-handed tactics and herding anti-apartheid protesters
like animals during the protests, with hundreds of protesters arrested and injured.

The South African rugby team, the Springboks, arrived in Australia for a six-week national
match tour from June to August 1971.

The Springbok tour sparked violent anti-apartheid protests around the country.

Premier JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN declared a state of emergency in Queensland and about 575
country police were brought to Brisbane.

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE, who as a university student was among the protesters,
calls the incident a dark chapter in Queensland's history.

He says the basic right to protest was not recognised in Queensland at the time.

AAP RTV pjo/jfs/dl/wz

KEYWORD: ARCHIVES QLD RUGBY (BRISBANE)

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