Disrupt Burrup Hub campaigners’ phones seized, move-on notices issued in early-morning police interaction

Disrupt Burrup Hub campaigners have had their phones seized and have been issued with move-on notices from the Burrup Peninsula during what they said was a routine visit to conduct interviews on Tuesday. The group, which said it was aware police were surveilling members and planned to intervene once the group made it to the peninsula about 4.30am, were with an international documentary crew to shoot footage for an upcoming documentary on Woodside’s Burrup Hub, and campaigns opposing it. Pilbara News understands the group were stopped by police on the Dampier Highway, where they had their phones seized. It’s also understood police asked for passcodes for the phones, but the group refused. They were then handed move-on notices, prohibiting them access to the Burrup Peninsula for 24 hours. A Disrupt Burrup Hub campaign spokesperson said they look forward to a full investigation of how and why police had stopped the convoy. “We have been aware of police surveillance and infiltration within our campaign and anticipated a police operation to intercept us,” the spokesperson said. “There was no intention or capacity to conduct direct action at the Burrup Hub this morning. Rather, several DBH campaigners with just the clothes on their backs planned to do some interviews and film footage for social media as the sun came up.” “The only reason provided by WA Police (for the search and seizure) was that one campaigner was wearing a Disrupt Burrup Hub T-shirt when their vehicle was searched by WA Police this morning.” In a statement, WA Police confirmed several mobile phones had been seized as part of an ongoing investigation, and five move-on notices had been issued. In October, Woodside boss Meg O’Neill hit out at climate activists for activities which she said had “gone too far”. Activists from the Disrupt Burrup Hub group were arrested after they descended on Ms O’Neill’s City Beach home in August with an ABC Four Corners crew, which was filming for a documentary, in tow. Their actions in allegedly targeting Ms O’Neill’s private property sparked widespread outrage, including from Premier Roger Cook, who penned a letter to ABC chair Ita Buttrose blasting the public broadcaster’s “morally wrong” attendance at the home. Ms O’Neill said she did not have a problem with protests outside Woodside’s offices but targeting her home crossed a line.