NSW MLC Sue Higginson says the continued actions by Premier Chris Minns to clamp down on political expression and peaceful protest are empowering state violence against the community of NSW, with the recent assault and arrests by police at a peaceful community protest revealing the impact of Minns’ rhetoric and law-making in empowering state violence by police against the community.
Greens MP and Spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said, ‘Premier Chris Minns’ attacks on protest near places of worship have now turned up in police fact sheets from a community rally where Hannah Thomas was violently assaulted and hospitalised.
‘I am shocked but unsurprised to see this in the police fact sheet. It is clear to me that Premier Chris Minns is responsible for the police response and serious injury that took place at Belmore.
‘The level of impunity the police displayed doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s written there in black and white – a direct reference to the anti-protest laws rushed through the NSW parliament under the sordid non-disclosure of the truth around the Dural Caravan incident.
‘The news that the victim of the assault by police has now been issued with a court attendance notice is unsurprising, but upsetting. If the police think they can justify the violence committed against the community by throwing an unjustifiable charge, then they have another thing coming,’ said Ms Higginson.
‘Chris Minns was warned, each time he pushed ahead with further crackdowns on legitimate and peaceful protest, that handing more powers to the police, powers that the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have said they don’t even need, that the result would be state endorsed violence against the community. Now here we are.
‘I, along with others in the parliament warned the premier and his government that we would see this level of impunity and now here it is.
‘What has happened to Hannah is so distressing, surely Chris Minns and his Cabinet will now start to listen and reverse this agenda of intolerance and anti-protest measures,’ Ms Higginson said.
Police statement
NSW police said yesterday a fifth person charged following the protest at Belmore, in Sydney’s west, on Friday. The following is a statement from police:
‘About 5.35am (Friday 27 June 2025) officers attached to Campsie Police Area Command attended Lakemba Street, Belmore, in response to an unauthorised protest in front of a business. Police issued a move on direction to a group of about 60 protesters, who allegedly attempted to block pedestrian access to the business.
‘A 29-year-old woman, who police will allege did not comply with that direction, was arrested. Police issued a second move on direction to the group. A 26-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman [Hannah Thomas] were subsequently arrested after allegedly failing to comply with the direction.
‘During the 35-year-old woman’s arrest, she sustained facial injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment, where she remains. A 41-year-old man then allegedly began to use obscene language towards police and was arrested after allegedly running from officers.
‘As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters, during which a police body worn camera was taken by an unknown protester.
‘The device was tracked and allegedly found to be in the possession of a 24-year-old man, who was arrested. The three men and the 29-year-old woman were all taken to Campsie Police Station.
‘The 29-year-old woman was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14. The 24-year-old man was charged with larceny and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v). The 41-year-old man was charged with use offensive language in/near public place/school. The 26-year-old man was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14 and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
‘They were all granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
‘Today (Sunday 29 June 2025), the 35-year-old woman was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and refuse/fail to comply with direction to disperse. She will appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 12 August 2025.
‘The incident remains under investigation and police continue to seek further information.’
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