Will it stop them getting out?

[JeffH]

Parliament House fenced in
Counter-terrorism Outrage as security fortified and trees removed

Works to install a steel security fence across the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House won't be completed until June 2018.

Yesterday, tourists and visitors watched as contractors used a crane to install 2.6-metre prefabricated panels across the sloping lawns, which form part of the building's roof. The fence is part of more than $126 million in security upgrades and fortification works planned for Parliament House.

Veteran press gallery journalist Michelle Grattan led criticism of construction, describing the fence as ''appalling'' on social media.

The work comes after a series of mature trees were removed at Parliament last week and large trenches dug in the lawn.

Greens senator Lee Rhiannon has criticised the security fortifications, while Victorian independent Derryn Hinch raised removal of the mature trees in the Senate.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Parliamentary Services said trees were being removed from the landscape on the eastern and western sides of Parliament House. ''Of the trees that were removed some had shallow root systems, which has made them prone to blowing over as has occurred during high wind storm events.

''During the most recent storm event, one tree landed against the Senate Wing when it fell. Some trees were in poor health and some tree species were incorrectly planted some years ago and are inconsistent with the design intent for the landscape of Parliament House.'' The department confirmed replacement turf would be laid, along with significant shrubbery and replacement trees considered more suited to the site conditions and the design intent of Parliament House. Preparatory works for the project began in May.

Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Stephen Parry have kept secret the total cost and designs of the work since security agencies and politicians agreed on the plans in 2016. Approval was rushed through Parliament as MPs prepared to leave Canberra for the Christmas break last year.

Workers installed the first section of the fence in August.

[Triggersmob]

We don't need all those security upgrades.
Politicians are easily replaced.

[ausjack]

:mocking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69iB-xy0u4A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZvsGdJP3ng
Agreed Steve, gee anyone would think they're important :dash1:

[JeffH]

What's the point of having a fence if some one doesn't lock the gate?
Who Let The Dogs Out

[Hercules]

I sure hope it stops the pollies from getting out. They're a danger to Australian society.

[JeffH]

A couple of Letters to the Editor in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald.

A fence is not enough. A cone of silence would protect us from pollies' jingoistic bombast.
Les Shearman Darlington
(I hope it works better than the Get Smart one.)

The new fence around the Parliament may increase security for us, as it will make it easier to keep the inmates confined. I hope that they are going to invite President Trump to come and open it.
Nick Hendel Roseville

[Pedro]

One padlock and all our problems are solved

Pedro

[Nevol]

One padlock and all our problems are solved :Pedro

:i_agree: Only one problem, who will be the holder of the KEY? It would have to be someone we could trust. :dontknow:

[trout]

One padlock and all our problems are solved :Pedro

:i_agree: Only one problem, who will be the holder of the KEY? It would have to be someone we could trust. :dontknow:

You could give it to Me, I have a nice deep well that I can chuck it down :diablo:

[JeffH]

Stalag Luft Australien?

[Hercules]

I reckon we should put them all in offshore detention, tear up their visas, and ask them to prove their identities. We'll also rig the system to ensure they spend at least 20 years over there without pay. Then when their time is up, we'll ask them to pass university-level English tests before they're allowed to re-enter the country on a temporary visa. Once that expires, we'll send them off to Cuba.