Latest news with #antiProtestLaws
SBS Australia
30-06-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Former Greens candidate may lose vision in right eye after protest injury
Former Greens candidate may lose vision in right eye after protest injury Published 30 June 2025, 8:40 am A critical incident has been declared by New South Wales police following the injury of a former Greens candidate during an unauthorised pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney's south west. Five people, including federal election candidate Hannah Thomas, were charged following the incident. She's now accusing the New South Wales Premier of enacting draconian anti-protest laws, and empowering state violence. A warning that this story contains images some viewers may find distressing.
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Afternoon Update: injured former Greens candidate speaks out; jury retires in mushroom lunch trial; and east coast braces for wild weather
Good afternoon. The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has denied emboldening police to crack down on protesters after a former Greens candidate, who was injured at a pro-Palestine protest last week, was charged with resisting police. Hannah Thomas, who ran against the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in the Sydney seat of Grayndler at the federal election, was arrested at the protest attended by about 60 people in Belmore on Friday morning before she was taken to hospital. Thomas – who has said she could lose sight in her right eye after the arrest – called out the Minns government's 'draconian anti-protest laws'. Erin Patterson jury begins deliberations as mushroom lunch trial enters 10th week Australia's east coast braces for wild weather as low pressure system grows Nine buys Premier League rights in Australia as Optus Sport shuts down Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial delayed on diplomatic and security grounds Idaho shooting: two dead after firefighters ambushed by gunman while responding to fire Pride parades took place across the world over the weekend in support of LGBTQ+ rights. From New York to Madrid, marchers filled the streets with music and calls for equality. Many carried messages of protest, highlighting ongoing discrimination and growing political pressure in several countries. 'It was a good battle. A bit on the edge at times and probably pushed the limits a bit far. But that's what we're here to do' – Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri has reflected on the moment the great McLaren battle could have all gone disastrously wrong. The Australian moved to pass McLaren teammate Lando Norris but locked his wheels and veered perilously close to his championship rival. The Australian regained control to eventually finish immediately behind the British driver in an enthralling Austrian Grand Prix that tightened up the race to the world title. Canada has rescinded its digital services tax in a bid to advance trade negotiations with the US, the country's finance ministry has announced, days after Donald Trump ended trade talks amid a dispute over the levy. The first payments on the tax were due on Monday and would have cost US tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon and Meta, an estimated $3bn. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In this piece, Dr Kat Eghdamian writes that we don't need less religion in public life. Instead, she says, we need better ways of talking about it – ways that allow both believers and non-believers to engage meaningfully, with honesty and depth. 'Imagine if we approached religion not as a set of camps to defend or oppose but as a shared inheritance. What if we stopped asking which one is right and started asking what they're trying to show us – about justice, humility, forgiveness, the soul and the sacredness of life?' Today's starter word is: TWO. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. Enjoying the Afternoon Update? Then you'll love our Morning Mail newsletter. Sign up here to start the day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know, and complete your daily news roundup. And follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email. If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘It was punishment': MP urges Chris Minns to scrap protest laws after former Greens candidate allegedly injured in police scuffle
The NSW Premier has been urged to scrap controversial anti-protest laws after a former Greens candidate claimed she may lose vision in her eye following an alleged scuffle with police at a protest. Hannah Thomas was pictured with a swollen right eye and streaks of blood down her face after a protest outside SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney's southwest on Friday. The company was picketed over reports it provided jet components used by the Israeli Defence Force, according to a NSW Greens statement. Ms Thomas, who was charged by police over the incident, has claimed she may have suffered permanent vision damage following the protest. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson has since appealed to NSW Premier Chris Minns to turf controversial protest laws and have charges against Ms Thomas dropped, arguing there was evidence police 'acted beyond the scope of their lawful powers'. New laws introduced in February have given police fresh powers to prevent protesters from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing or leaving — or attempting to access or leave — places of worship. This also extends to people intentionally blocking, impeding, or hindering people accessing or leaving places of worship, with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. The laws were brought in less than a month after news of an explosives-laden caravan being found in Dural broke, which later proved to be a fake terrorism plot rather than an anti-Semitic attack. Ms Thomas has claimed her injuries were a result of the 'draconian anti-protest laws', which are currently subject to a constitutional challenge in the NSW Supreme Court launched on behalf of the Palestine Action Group (PAG). However, NSW Police southwest metropolitan region commander Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden on Monday told 2GB the anti-protest legislation wasn't applicable to this situation, maintaining it was an unauthorised protest. In her letter, Ms Higginson cited alleged contradictory police statements, photographic and video evidence, witness accounts, and NSW protest law. 'What occurred in Belmore was not policing — it was punishment,' Ms Higginson wrote in her letter. 'A member of our community was brutally assaulted by uniformed officers while engaging in peaceful political expression,' she alleged. 'This has happened in a state where you and your government have continuously expressed intolerance for protest and embodied police to suppress protest through arbitrary, dangerous laws and sweeping police powers.' Ms Higginson has appealed to the Premier to intervene and have all charges against Ms Thomas, and others arrested on the day, dropped, and for police to declare it a critical incident. However Mr McFadden told 2GB he couldn't identify any misconduct, that he backed the actions of police, and he was comfortable in not declaring a critical incident based on information provided to him. Ms Higginson also pushed for a clear public directive to be issued to NSW Police to state protest is lawful and must be protected. Ms Higginson then turned her attention to the state government, urging Mr Minns 'acknowledge your government's role in emboldening excessive and violent policing' via the expansion of protest laws. Further, she called for the new anti-protest laws to be repealed. 'The trust between the community and the police has already been deeply damaged,' Ms Higginson wrote. 'Every day that passes without independent accountability and recognition of the harm that your Government's actions have caused will further fracture the legitimacy of your leadership.' Mr Minns told a press conference he wasn't prepared to 'condemn' the actions of police given Ms Thomas didn't provide a statement to police, making it difficult to determine what had happened. Critical incidents are also typically declared based on health information, which is hard when that is not provided, he said. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) could step in at any time, Mr Minns said while also rejecting suggestions his own actions had emboldened police over the years. Speaking of Friday's protest, he said everyone had a right to protest, but not to go after specific businesses. He wished Ms Thomas well in her recovery. 'I don't want this to be lost in, I guess, the politics of the general caravan inquiry and changes to the law,' Mr Minns said. 'I genuinely hope that she's back on her feet as soon as possible, and she has a full recovery.' Police issued Ms Thomas with a future court attendance notice on Sunday and charged her with hinder/resist police and refuse/fail to comply with direction to disperse. She will appear in Bankstown Local Court on August 12. Four others were also handed down various charges.
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Former Greens candidate horrifically injured during arrest at pro-Palestine protest hits out at NSW Premier from her hospital bed
A former Greens candidate, who was left with a serious eye injury after being arrested by police at a pro-Palestine rally has unleashed at NSW Premier Chris Minns. Hannah Thomas has undergone surgery following the injury suffered during the protest in Sydney's south-west, outside Lakemba business, SEC Plating, which the Greens have accused of supplying materials used by the Israeli military. Ms Thomas, who challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the seat of Grayndler at the last election, is at risk of losing vision in her right eye, following the clash with police. She has since issued with a court attendance notice by police and charged with hinder/resist police and refuse/fail to comply with direction to disperse. She is expected to appear in Bankstown Local Court on August 12. 'I just wanted to say thanks so much for the overwhelming support I've received... I've been lucky to be looked after so well by the staff at the hospital,' she said from her hospital bed on Sunday. 'I don't want to go into too much detail about the traumatic events on Friday, but, I'm 5'1' and I weigh 45kg. I was engaged in a peaceful protest and the actions of NSW Police have left me potentially without vision in my right eye permanently. 'This is because of Chris Minns and (police minister) Yasmin Catley and their draconian anti-protest laws. 'The anti-protest laws aren't just a threat to people protesting for Palestine, but for any person who wants a safer world for all of us.' Police issued a move-on direction to the group of around 50 protestors at about 5.35am on Friday to disrupt the alleged unauthorised protest. The NSW Greens claimed Lakemba business was involved in the supply chain to make Israeli fighter jets. Ms Thomas allegedly refused to comply with the order and sustained facial injuries when she was arrested before being taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment. A photo of Ms Thomas on Saturday showed the severity of her injuries, with her entire right eye closed, swollen and bloody, while she sat in the back of an ambulance. The right side of her face was also covered in blood while her eye was black. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson wrote to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Police Minister Yasmin Catley to complain about the actions of the officers at the rally. 'I am writing to you to express my deep concern that no critical incident has been declared following the (alleged) assault by NSW Police against a community member at a public assembly in Belmore,' Ms Higginson wrote. 'As you know, a critical incident is an incident involving a NSW police officer that results in the death or serious injury of a person. 'Having witnessed the grievous injuries (allegedly) caused by the police to Hannah Thomas, spoken to on ground witnesses who witnessed what occurred and with the knowledge that Hannah has experienced serious injuries and hospitalisation, I am calling for a critical incident to be declared urgently.' Four others were arrested and charged during the protest, including a 24-year-old man who was allegedly found in possession of a stolen police body-worn camera. Police said the camera was stolen by an unknown protester during a scuffle and was tracked to the 24-year-old's location. It is not clear exactly what caused Ms Thomas' injuries but doctors are reportedly fearing she may not regain sight in her right eye. The Greens meanwhile have said they have spoken with lawyers to potentially represent Ms Thomas and the other protesters who were arrested during the incident. Ms Thomas has attended anti-Israel protests in the past, having called on Australia to impose sanctions on Israel, whose government she accused of genocide. She was among dozens of demonstrators who descended on Albanese's electorate office to demand action after Greta Thunberg's 'Freedom Flotilla' was seized by Israeli defence forces earlier this month. A spokesperson for NSW Police previously told Daily Mail Australia: '[Ms Thomas] sustained facial injuries while being arrested for allegedly failing to comply with a police direction and the arrest was discontinued and (she) was taken to Bankstown hospital for treatment.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Staff front 'kangaroo court' probe after arrest threat
Senior government staff have faced terse questions over the passage of anti-protest and hate speech laws after threats they could be arrested for refusing to front an inquiry. NSW Premier Chris Minns' chief of staff James Cullen, his deputies and two senior staff for Police Minister Yasmin Catley showed up on Friday after being summoned to appear earlier in June. The parliamentary inquiry is probing the swift introduction of laws in February after the discovery of a caravan at Dural, on Sydney's outskirts, containing explosives and a list of Jewish sites. Mr Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially labelled the caravan incident a thwarted terror attack in late January when a media leak disclosed the earlier caravan find. But inquiry chair Rod Roberts on Friday criticised the terrorism label, saying it would have led to fear and consternation in the community. "I can't see how the premier standing in front of a press conference saying there is no other alternative to terrorism provided any calm to anybody," the independent MP said. It later emerged the caravan was thought to be part of what investigators labelled a "criminal con job" that was staged in an attempt to gain leverage with police. Senior NSW police told the inquiry in April they believed it was a ruse virtually from the outset. Controversial laws that passed parliament included curbs on the right to demonstrate near places of worship. But Mr Cullen, appearing frustrated and occasionally interrupting questions, repeatedly defended the premier's language about the caravan find. "This was not a line dreamt up by the premier," he told the committee inquiry in a tense exchange with Mr Roberts. "It was not a term thrown around lightly at all. "There's a very convenient rewriting of history and squashing of time and concepts." The three pieces of legislation were drafted during a 12-18 month period when there was a marked rise in anti-Semitic incidents, Mr Cullen said. "The relationship that's been constructed by some between the Dural caravan event and those three pieces of legislation is extremely ... unfair." They included graffiti and arson attacks on a synagogue, a preschool's fire-bombing and other incidents in areas with large Jewish populations, all of which had drawn widespread condemnation, he said. Mr Minns - who, along with the police minister, cannot be compelled to appear before the upper house - told reporters his perspective had been "well ventilated". Following news the staffers could face arrest, Mr Minns on Wednesday said they had been summoned to an inquiry that was "close to a kangaroo court". Mr Roberts had addressed five empty chairs a week earlier when the government staffers did not appear, prompting the drastic but legal step of threatening to arrest them. Mr Minns criticised parliamentary "shenanigans" on Friday and said his focus was on supporting the people of NSW.
