Adani protesters snuck into a leaders' forum in Townsville days out from the Queensland election, appearing from underneath a stage and proclaiming "surprise" as Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls made his opening address.
It was understood the four protesters had been hiding underneath a stage at the back of the room, which media were using, for up to three hours waiting for the forum to start.
Adani protestors appeared from under the media platform and confronted @TimNichollsMP at the Townsville forum. They were quickly removed by security. pic.twitter.com/8gN5tX1jqp??? Ruth McCosker (@RuthMcCosker) November 21, 2017
As Mr Nicholls started his opening address the protesters crawled out from underneath the stage, with one man saying "surprise".
They made their way to the stage and calls for security were made.
Within minutes, police removed the protesters from the room.
Small groups of protesters had also been outside The Ville, where the forum was held, from early Wednesday morning.
Mr Nicholls pulled his own stunt at the forum, taking a cardboard figure of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on stage with him at the start of the forum.
"How can you afford another three years of Labor" was written at the bottom of the cutout.
Ms Palaszczuk said she was unable to attend because she had promised Brigadier Chris Field to attend his major-general ceremony on Monday in Townsville.
"I also explained to Townsville Enterprises there that day as well, my apologies for not being able to attend this morning because I had a prior commitment I had made on the Monday," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk started day 25 of the campaign in Bundaberg, where her Labor MP Leanne Donaldson holds the seat with an extremely slim 0.5 per cent margin.
The Townsville forum was attended by Mr Nicholls, One Nation leader Steve Dickson and Katter's Australian Party leader Robbie Katter.
- with Felicity Caldwell
