The Prime Minister's office has demanded the Australian Federal Police conduct an immediate review of security around Malcolm Turnbull after refugee rights protesters interrupted a major economic speech by the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
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Mr Turnbull was barely two minutes into his speech to the Committee of Economic Development of Australia when a group of protesters, who had infiltrated the audience, leapt to their feet and began chanting: "Malcolm Turnbull, shame on you, shut down Manus and Nauru".
One woman holding a sign that said "FFS CLOSE THE BLOODY CAMPS" stood about five metres from Mr Turnbull on stage during the protest at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt hotel.
Some of the protesters had been seated at media tables and were wearing name tags identifying them as "media", though they were not associated with any media organisation.
A number of young men dressed in suits and seated at different tables appeared to have registered as bona fide guests.
Mr Turnbull's AFP protective agents and security guards hustled most of the protesters out of the Grand Hyatt Ballroom quickly.
One of the women, who was seen sprawled on the floor outside the ballroom door, claimed to have been assaulted. She did not appear to be injured after climbing to her feet and continuing to protest.
The demonstrators were members of the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance, which is part of the Boycott Wilsons Campaign, according to one of the protesters, Sam Castro, who said she had founded the group.
An AFP spokeswoman confirmed four protesters were escorted from the event and said enquiries relating to the incident were under way.
"This was an avoidable incident and as such, the circumstances and our response is being immediately reviewed," the spokeswoman said.
"Beyond this particular incident the AFP does not comment on operational security matters in relation to the Prime Minister."
Mr Turnbull quickly returned to the speech and yelling died down as protesters were escorted from the room.
The government has faced ongoing domestic and international criticism over offshore detention efforts this week, after more than 2000 incident reports about abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru were leaked to the media.
Mr Turnbull's office has also demanded a 'please explain' from CEDA, the organisers of the event.
A CEDA spokeswoman said a review of how protesters gained access was under way.
"It appears at this stage some were paying guests and some signed in as media," she said.
"We are also writing to the AFP to review today's event and discuss protocols for future events."
