FED: Police powers bulked up in anticipation of torch protests=2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2008
FED: Police powers bulked up in anticipation of torch protests=2

The declaration will cover the 20km relay route from the southern shore of Lake Burley
Griffin to Parliament House and along Commonwealth Avenue to Canberra's main business
precinct, Civic.

The bulked-up powers will be in place for eight hours on the day before the relay,
April 23, and for all of April 24.

Despite the chief minister saying the declaration would be in place for just one day,
a spokesman for Attorney-General Simon Corbell confirmed the it would apply for a pre-relay
briefing at the National Convention Centre for media and torchbearers on April 23.

Mr Stanhope said the extra powers were needed to deal with a potential clash between
pro-Chinese and pro-Tibetan demonstrators.

Thousands of Chinese Australians are planning to defend the Beijing torch in Canberra.

"It's in the context of a potential for a clash between two competing groups of demonstrators
or protesters that the police have asked for these additional powers," Mr Stanhope said.

Anyone entering the designated areas would be subject to enhanced powers, he said.

Mr Corbell said the powers were similar to those used for major sporting events in
Sydney or Melbourne.

ACT Policing was continuing to develop its plan for protecting the torch.

"I won't be disclosing the exact number of police, but it will be a very significant
police presence," Mr Corbell told ABC radio.

AAP jcd/rl/jl/bwl

KEYWORD: OLY08 FLAME POWERS 2 CANBERRA

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