As parliamentary sessions began on August 12, Senate President Sue Lines issued assurances that short-term measures were in place to enhance security around Parliament.
The upping of the security detail comes after four pro-Palestinian protesters managed to scale the building on the final sitting day before the winter break.
She declined to provide details about the measures saying that “long-term and more permanent options are currently being explored.”
On July 4, pro-Palestine protesters climbed the roof of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra. They unfurled several banners, including one reading, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
The protesters spent about an hour and a half atop the building.
The group, identified as members of the Renegade Activists group, were dressed in dark clothing.
They rolled out several large black and white banners, including one that read, “No peace on stolen land.”
Another protester used a megaphone to accuse the Israeli government of “war crimes” in Gaza with support from the United States and Australia.
In the fallout of the incident, Speaker Milton Dick told MPs he had ordered a review of the building’s security.
The demonstration at the national parliament followed recent divisions within Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government, which had suspended a Muslim senator who crossed the floor to vote in favour of recognizing a Palestinian state.
Senator Fatima Payman subsequently left the party.
Over the past six months, Australia has witnessed numerous pro-Palestine rallies across major cities.
