Meeting right in Southbank

A meeting of high-powered political and business figures converged on Southbank last month, for a dinner to celebrate the 70th anniversary of right-wing think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs.

Despite a guest list boasting Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, the event hit the news because of protests at the front of the NGV, which became particularly violent at the arrival of Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle.

The protesters mounted the Lord Mayor’s car while he was inside and police had to use force to disperse the crowd.

The following day the Lord Mayor labeled the protesters as “pissants” and “idiotic”.