Protesters in Melbourne demand Albanese act on Myanmar military coup
Dozens of protesters from Australia's Burmese and Cambodian communities have gathered outside the Asean Australia Special Summit in Melbourne where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is meeting leaders from the region.
Protesters have demanded action against the Myanmar military coup, claiming Albanese has an opportunity to use the summit to pressure south-east Asian leaders to restore democracy and release political prisoners in the region.
Leaders from Indonesia to Thailand have travelled to Melbourne for the summit, which marks 50 years of relations between Australia and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
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Dozens of protesters flocked to the ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne. The Age
Leaders from all member states, except Myanmar, are attending the three-day summit to discuss bolstering Australia's economic links with south-east Asia.
Groups of protesters this morning gathered outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the summit is being held.
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Protesters have demanded action against the Myanmar military coup. The Age
Members of Australia's Cambodian communities were also at the protest in a show of solidarity and to oppose the political regime in Cambodia.
The protesters presence at the summit could risk persecution for their families in Asia.
Victoria Police has heightened security at the site of the summit and across Melbourne's CBD this week.
Special powers have been granted to police to search people and vehicles this week in a bid to protect people attending the summit as well as protesters from terrorism.
The anti-terrorism measures, not used in Victoria since 2006, include a police 'ring of steel' around some CBD sites.
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Leaders from Indonesia to Thailand have travelled to Melbourne for the summit. The Age
Ahead of the summit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia saw Asean as the centre of a "stable, peaceful and prosperous" region.
"Strengthening our relationship ensures our shared future prosperity and security," he said in a statement.
Addressing demonstrators on the steps of the Victorian Parliament earlier this week, Federal Labor MP Julian Hill said the government did not tolerate the interference or intimidation of its citizens from the Burmese regime or any other government.
Hill told The Age he was confident Australia that could use the summit to deepen relations in the region.
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