National Press Club rejects David Sharaz’s membership after GetUp’s stunt during Pauline Hanson address

Political activist David Sharaz has had his membership application to the National Press Club rejected after the organisation he works for disrupted Pauline Hanson’s address to journalists in Canberra on Wednesday.

Left-wing campaign group GetUp immediately claimed responsibility for the stunt that involved a “drop down screen” being lowered onto the stage as Senator Hanson was speaking.

The NPC has referred the matter to Federal Police for investigation and in a statement on Wednesday said: “David Sharaz was seen filming the incident on his phone and, after the banner had lowered, left abruptly.”

The Nightly can reveal that GetUp’s director of campaigns and media had recently applied for NPC membership and had separately purchased a ticket to attend Senator Hanson’s first speech to the club.

During a scheduled and lengthy board meeting on Thursday morning, the NPC resolved to formally reject Mr Sharaz’s membership application, and to ban all GetUp staff from attending future events.

Sources have confirmed that NPC security video showing Mr Sharaz filming the GetUp stunt as it occurred has also been handed to police for their investigation.

ACT Policing has confirmed an investigation had been launched into the incident and urged anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.

“ACT Policing has received a complaint regarding the alleged unauthorised access and interference with equipment in a building in Barton,” a spokesperson said.

“Investigations into this matter are underway including examination by AFP Forensics officers.”

GetUp has not responded to questions from The Nightly about the incident or David Sharaz’s involvement.

Meanwhile the Federal Parliament Press Gallery committee, which represents political journalists based in Canberra, has condemned Pauline Hanson’s threats to ban certain reporters from future events.

During her National Press Club address, Senator Hanson called journalist Sarah Martin “trashy” for questions about her daughter Lee Hanson’s employment and said The Guardian reporter would be banned from future events.

“The ability to scrutinise and question politicians is one of the fundamental functions of our work as journalists,” the Federal Parliament Press Gallery committee said in a statement.

“Against this backdrop, the Gallery Committee strongly objects to threats made by One Nation – or by any political party - to ban certain journalists and organisations from doing their jobs as important observers and interpreters of federal politics.”