Julia Gillard dragged away in Australia Day protest drama

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is escorted by police and bodyguards out of an award ceremony after Aboriginal tent embassy protesters tried to get into the building in Canberra, Thursday Jan. 26, 2012. About 200 protesters trapped Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in a Canberra restaurant before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has put on a brave face to host ambassadors at the Lodge after a tumultuous Australia Day afternoon when she had to be dragged away by her security detail after being mobbed by protesters.

Ms Gillard said she was fine following the incident in which 200 Aboriginal protesters converged on an emergency services awards function she was attending with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

“The only thing that angers me is that it distracted from such a wonderful event with great people from emergency services,” she said.

Ms Gillard was hosting a function for international ambassadors at the prime minister’s residence on Thursday night.

She refused to comment on whether Mr Abbott should apologise for offending Aboriginal activists who were at the nearby Canberra tent embassy, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The protesters blamed their actions on Mr Abbott’s comments earlier on Thursday that it was time to “move on” from the tent embassy.

Ms Gillard also declined to comment on her missing blue shoe, which she lost when police and security dragged her out past protesters.

The prime minister played down the incident, in which she stumbled while being dragged by security.

“I am made of pretty tough stuff and the police did a great job,” she said.

Ms Gillard and her partner Tim Mathieson greeted the ambassadors in a jovial mood.

A troupe of Aboriginal dancers and a didgeridoo player were at the function room for a performance later in the evening.

Some of the award winners from the emergency service awards were attending the function at the Lodge.