From TOTT NEWS

Australian soldiers have participated in a drill that simulates the ‘controlling of aggressive protesters’ for ‘population protection’. After the last few years, everyone has a right to be concerned.

‘PEOPLE PROTECTION’

Australian soldiers are being trained on how to confront, disperse and arrest protesters.

This past week, personnel from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), with the support of the 1st Military Police Battalion (1MP), conducted what they call “population protection control” training at Lavarack Barracks.

According to the press release on the drill:

“Soldiers with shields, unruly role players and snapping canines were all that was needed to run a population protection control (PPC) scenario in Townsville.”

However, the ‘unruly’ individuals they are training to ‘control’ are actually — in real terms — protesters.

You see, the headline you see above didn’t always read as it is.

Before the headline was changed, screenshots were taken that reveal the true intention of this exercise.

Here, we see the real purpose of the exercise.

To ‘deal with protesters’.

The press release further details this when they describe a “realistic scenario of aggressive protesters”:

George Christensen weighed in on the matter:

“Military are not supposed to be deployed against civilians. Why is the Australian Defence Force making our troops train on how ‘deal with protesters’? This is alarming.”

The drill press release further reads:

“Infantry sections integrated closely with military police arrest teams, detainee processing capabilities, and military working dogs to enhance security and crowd dispersion.”

Detaining, including dogs. Sounds lovely.

Captain Nicholas Crosbie, from 3RAR’s Alpha Company, said PPC was a ‘non-lethal combat technique to maintain control, detain and protect population’s.

“PPC is primarily used to assist allied or partner forces to maintain protection and control in a stability operation situation,” Captain Crosbie said.

THE EXERCISE

Photo: 3rd Brigade – Australian Army
Photo: 3rd Brigade – Australian Army
Photo: 3rd Brigade – Australian Army
Photo: 3rd Brigade – Australian Army