NSW: One arrested in IVF protest outside PM s office

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2000
NSW: One arrested in IVF protest outside PM s office

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - A man was arrested after students clashed with police at a protest
outside Prime Minister John Howard's Sydney electoral office today over his attempt to
limit IVF treatment.

The 18-year-old student was arrested after several others tried to set fire to posters
of Mr Howard in protest against his attempt to restrict access to IVF programs for single
women and lesbians.

A woman also was detained by police in the clash and locked in a paddy wagon but released
about 15 minutes later.

The National Union of Students (NUS) will lodge a formal complaint against New South
Wales Police for what they say was the use of excessive force.

Police officer Ken Matchett said the students were warned not to set alight the posters
because of public safety concerns.

But when two students tried, police stormed the group of vocal protesters, physically
dragging them away.

The students have accused police of using excessive force in breaking up the protest.

"The president of the National Union of Students will be lodging a complaint with the
police force," student Ryan Heath said.

"We've taken down the badge numbers of the police that we think ... were to blame for
the excessive force and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it."

But Sergeant Matchett rejected the claim and said police were simply clearing the protesters
away.

AAP sal/sw/ah/mk/bwl

KEYWORD: IVF PROTEST LEAD

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