The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony in Perth, amid unprecedented security across the CBD. A vocal group of around 40 Tamils demanded the Commonwealth take action against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Then the leaders of more than 50 Commonwealth nations were introduced in turn, ending with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Queen.
The leaders and guests stood for a rendition of Advance Australia Fair and then sat through a traditional Aboriginal welcome.
Perth Indigenous leaders presented Queen Elizabeth with a message stick before the words “Bless you all and hope your meeting goes well’’ appeared on a giant onstage screen.
Aboriginal dancers performed a traditional dance.
Hundreds of protesters gathering in central Perth to march on the Commonwealth leaders meeting plan to stage a sit-in near the summit venue.
Demonstrators began assembling in Forrest Place on Friday morning as the Queen opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at 10am.
Large numbers of police were out in force and helicopters overhead the central city with the main business thoroughfare closed to traffic.
Protesters plan to march towards the CHOGM venue at the Perth Convention Centre from 11am and aim to stage a sit-in at the corner of William Street and St Georges Terrace at the edge of a designated security zone.
CHOGM Action Network spokesman Alex Bainbridge said he understood that police would tolerate the sit-in and not try to remove protesters.
He said demonstrators did not plan to breach the security zones.
Many groups plan to take part in the march including anti-nuclear, refugee rights, environmental and anti-corporate greed movements.
Protester Seamus Doherty said he was protesting against human rights violations in countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and the detention of asylum seekers in Australia.
A group of protesters from the Republic of Congo in Forrest Place angrily denounced Rwandan President Paul Kagame, accusing him of killing millions of people and plundering mineral resources in military raids into the country.
Cleophas Katumba told AAP that Australia was a democratic country that valued human rights. ``We don’t understand that Kagame can come and be welcomed here after what he has done,’’ he said.
Another vocal protest group demanded the Commonwealth ensure democracy in Zimbabwe.
Moses Chambko, from the Zimbabwe Information Centre whose members are protesting the country’s ongoing political turmoil and exclusion from the Commonwealth, said: “We are saying that the Commonwealth must step in and do something.
“We are calling for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. It is time for Zimbabwe to join the Commonwealth family again.’’
The group is holding placards saying ‘Stop Violence, torture, and rape in Zimbabwe’ and ‘Drop all charges against political prisoners’.
A vocal group of around 40 Tamils demanded the Commonwealth take action against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Another group of around 60 protesters demanded free and fair elections in Malaysia.
Two men dressed as nuns were there to demand that the Australian government allow same sex marriage.
Today is the Queen’s Birthday public holiday in Perth.
Police were swarming over central Perth with the main business district in lockdown for the official opening.
Reports estimate around half of the state’s 6000 officers are involved and about 800 extra police have been flown in from around Australia and New Zealand to assist in the security operation.
F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets have also been flying over the city.
Steel fencing lined St Georges and Adelaide Terraces ready for the motorcades carrying the Queen and dignitaries to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) venue at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Dennis Doherty, a member of the Communist Association of Australia, said he had come from Sydney for the protest.
“We’ve just come from being kicked out of Martin Place in Sydney, we encourage people everywhere to get out into the street and protest about corporate crime and greed.
“The system isn’t broken, the system neds to be replaced. CHOGM is an organisation designed to make things easy for the wealthy.’’
Mr Doherty said he was calling on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to work for a more equitable Australia.
Marcus Hampson, from the refugee rights Action Network, said: “We want to highlight Australia’s abuse of asylum seekers. We are trying to build community opposition to asylum seekers being held in mandatory detention.’’
The Queen, who is staying at Government House on the locked-down St Georges Terrace, officially opened the 10am ceremony.
More than 50 commonwealth leaders are in Perth for the three-day meeting.
The first executive session, which will deal with issues from poverty to human rights and climate change, will start at 11.30am.
More than 100,000 people are expected to turn out to the Big Aussie Barbecue at the Esplanade and Langley Park on Saturday, from 9am to 12.15pm. -