Greens' hot air balloon protest deflated by new flight restriction over parliament

Party vows to go ahead with climate protest in Canberra despite 'unprecedented decision to block air traffic'

The Greens' hopes of flying a hot air balloon over Parliament House to protest global heating have been deflated by a last-minute restriction on flights due to security concerns.

Despite blocking the balloon plan, parliament's presiding officers have approved an Extinction Rebellion protest at the authorised assembly area in front of parliament from 14 to 18 October, the Senate president, Scott Ryan, has revealed.