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The police union is calling on the Victorian government to introduce a NSW-like permit system to regulate protests and protect police after officers were hospitalised in skirmishes with protesters in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday.
Police spent hours on Sunday afternoon trying to keep anti-immigration and counterprotesters apart. Both groups had about 1000 people each, and police accused the counterprotesters of throwing rocks at officers.
Police form a line between opposing groups of protesters in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday.Credit: Paul Jeffers
One sergeant was taken to hospital with a suspected broken hand after being kicked by protesters, and a senior constable suffered a gash to his leg. Three others were hit by rocks.
The Police Association of Victoria’s chief executive Wayne Gatt said officers would continue to be hurt as long as there was a “completely unregulated protest environment” in the state and a permit system was needed.
“That [a permit system] has always been our recommendation. It is one that has been rejected by the government,” Gatt told 3AW.
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“We’re locked in this argument about human rights, and everybody’s got rights across the protests, and we agree. [But] the only people that didn’t have rights over the weekend were the people dressed in blue uniforms. That’s as I see it.”
In NSW, protest organisers are required to provide written notice to the police commissioner of their intention to hold a rally, which, if approved, can grant them protection from certain offences.
Gatt said his NSW counterpart was shocked the Victorian government was opposed to a permit system.
“He said... ‘Here they [protesters] either play by the rules or they don’t play’.”
In a statement on Sunday night, opposition police spokesman David Southwick said if the Coalition was elected, it would introduce a protest registration system to ensure they don’t get out of control.
“This was a disgraceful attack on our police officers. Being pelted with rocks and bottles isn’t free speech, it’s criminal violence,” Southwick said.
Victoria Police Association secretary Wayne GattCredit: Paul Jeffers
“The premier promised tougher protest laws, but [Premier] Jacinta Allan’s failure to act is fuelling division and hate. It’s time she stood up for law and order and backed the police who keep us safe.”
Allan said people have a right to protest, but also “an obligation to do it peacefully”.
Victoria Police Commander Wayne Cheesman was irate in describing the attacks on officers by protesters. “Melbourne has had a gutful,” he said.
Commander Wayne Cheeseman tips out a box of rocks that were hurled at officers.Credit: Victoria Police
Holding up a large rock, which he said had been thrown at police, Cheesman said: “It appals me, really. This could kill someone, that’s the bottom line.”
“I show you the rocks because I think the public needs to see what the police are being targeted with,” he said.
However, rally organisers disputed the Cheesman’s account and claimed protesters were hospitalised due to the “violent acts of Victoria Police”.
“Police deployed violence which injured activists, with nearly five hospitalised. Police denied thousands the right to protest, while facilitating the racist, hateful demonstration March for Australia, exercising white sovereignty to defend a white Australia ideology,” they wrote on social media.
On Monday morning, Police Minister Anthony Carbines said protesters intent on causing violence had to be dealt with by police “in as strong as possible terms” and defended the force’s actions.
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