2026-10-23
The Victorian Greens have expressed serious concern following reports that more than 100 police officers descended on the Djab Wurrung camp near Ararat this morning, where Traditional Owners and supporters are protecting culturally significant trees.
Quotes attributable to Dr Sarah Mansfield, Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens and MLC for Western Victoria:
“I'm deeply concerned by reports of an extraordinarily heavy-handed police response at the Djab Wurrung camp this morning.
“Deploying more than 100 police officers against a small group of people protecting sacred trees raises serious questions about whether this response is proportionate or necessary.
“We saw the distressing scenes of police forcibly removing people protecting Djab Wurrung cultural heritage in 2020. Labor cannot allow history to repeat itself.
“Labor should be working with Traditional Owners to protect sacred trees, not sending in police against those fighting to save them.”