Protesters In Sydney Paint Antiwar Slogan On Landmark Opera House

A police helicopter hovered overhead after Opera House staff noticed the two men in their 20s scaling the sail early this morning.

The Opera House chief executive Norman Gillespie said after the arrest that he condemned the action.

"While we respect the right of Australians to protest, it was a totally unacceptable way of doing it.

"To deface such a wonderful icon ... It was an act of reckless vandalism, totally unacceptable."

Graffiti experts would be called in to assess the damage along with solvent experts to remove the paint.

Security was upgraded at the Opera House and the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge last November because of the growing risk of terrorist attack.

Asked about security he said when facing someone with criminal intent they would find a way to get to their objective.

"We certainly will review security," he said.

NSW premier Bob Carr told 2GB he had asked for a full report on the incident. He said he shared people's concern but the government would not be closing key sites in the face of terrorist threats. The protesters deserved to be condemned for placing the lives of police at risk.

"They have defaced with their graffiti a wonderful Australian icon," he said. He said while he respected the right to protest "it's not a decent way, or an Australian way, dare I say it, to do it".

Among a group of tourists who witnessed the incident were Roy, Bill and Marian, all from Victoria but all unwilling to reveal their surnames.

Bill said: "It's certainly eye-catching." But Roy thought the protesters "should be dropped over the side of the Opera House", whereas Marian said: "I just wonder how they got there. They've got the right to protest."

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/18/1047749748004.html