Media statement: On the tactics of surveillance and targeting homes
Friday August 4 2023 - 2pm AWST
There has been much discussion in recent days of the decision to stage a peaceful protest outside the home of Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill. There has also been concern about prior reconnaissance at the property to ensure the protest occurred safely and without compromising the security of anyone present.
On Tuesday, WA counter-terror police turned up at the family home of mother-of-two Tahlia Stolarski demanding she hand over all her communication devices for the third time in three months. Counter-terrorism police broke into Ms Stolarski’s house through an unlocked but unopened window.
When Ms Stolarski arrived from work, police placed her under arrest without providing any basis for an alleged suspicion of conspiracy. When Ms Stolarski requested a reporter present be allowed to accompany her into her own home to take footage of the interaction with the officers, police denied this request without any legal basis.
Three hours later, when Ms Stolarski should have been welcoming her young children home from school and kindergarten, she was released without charge while her children were cared for by a relative.
Small business owner and mother of two Tahlia Stolarski said:
“While the protest outside Ms O’Neill’s home was intercepted by more than a dozen counter-terror police camped out overnight, the homes of countless Disrupt Burrup Hub campaigners have been repeatedly targeted and invaded by WA Police in recent months.”
“This is done to protect Woodside’s interests and stifle discussion of the catastrophic climate impacts of Woodside’s Burrup Hub.”
“Teenage women have had their homes raided by armed counter-terror police who pore through their clothes, diaries and personal items. Family homes with young children inside have been repeatedly invaded by WA counter-terror police acting in Woodside’s interests. A young student says a gun was pulled on him by police searching his car late one night this week.”
“The relentless personal surveillance of people connected to the Disrupt Burrup Hub campaign is extreme and unprecedented. The distress, intimidation and anxiety this has caused young people and young families over many months should not be underestimated.”
“WA Police are serving Woodside’s corporate interests by trying to suppress discussion of the catastrophic climate impacts of Woodside’s Burrup Hub.”
— ENDS
