Calls Grow for Police Accountability and Reform of NSW Anti-Protest Laws following Hannah Thomas Incident
A peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration outside SEC Plating in Belmore, Sydney, escalated dramatically on Friday, 27 June 2025, when former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was arrested and suffered serious facial injuries requiring hospitalisation. The incident has reignited concerns about police use of force and the impact of New South Wales’ controversial anti-protest laws.
Hannah Thomas: Incident Details
Hannah Thomas, who recently contested the federal seat of Grayndler against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, attended the Belmore protest in her capacity as a legal observer. She was one of five individuals arrested by NSW Police.
Witnesses and video footage indicate that police officers forcibly took Thomas to the ground, during which she sustained significant injuries to her face. She was later seen with severe swelling and bruising around her eye and required surgery at Bankstown Hospital. There are ongoing concerns about potential long-term damage to her vision.
The protest targeted SEC Plating over allegations, denied by the company, that it supplies components for fighter jets used by the Israel Defense Forces. Police declared the gathering “unauthorised” under the state’s new protest laws and moved to disperse the crowd. Four other protesters were charged and are due to appear in Bankstown Local Court on 15 July. Hannah Thomas was arrested but has not been charged.
Legal and Political Response
Civil liberties advocates and political leaders have condemned the police response as excessive. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson have called for an independent investigation, with Higginson labelling the incident an example of “excessive police force.”
Despite the severity of Thomas’s injuries, NSW Police have stated the incident will not be formally investigated as a critical incident but will instead be reviewed under standard internal procedures.
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors: Standing Up for Protest Rights
The events in Belmore come at a time of heightened public scrutiny of NSW’s anti-protest laws. These laws are currently being challenged in the Supreme Court of NSW by Josh Lees on behalf of the Palestine Action Group (PAG). Our lawyers at O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors represent Lees and the PAG in this significant constitutional case.
The legal challenge targets recent amendments to the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (LEPRA), which give police broader powers to restrict or disperse protests near places of worship, even without evidence of obstruction or intimidation. O’Brien Solicitors, led by Principal Solicitor Peter O’Brien, argues these laws impose an unconstitutional burden on the implied freedom of political communication and are being used to suppress legitimate dissent.
The case has drawn widespread support from civil society organisations, legal experts, and members of parliament, who warn these laws threaten the democratic right to peaceful protest.
Hannah Thomas: Growing Concerns Over Police Powers
The Belmore incident is the latest in a series of police actions against pro-Palestinian protests in NSW following the escalation of violence in Gaza. Lawyers, activists and legal observers have documented what they describe as increasingly aggressive police tactics, including arrests and physical force, justified under the guise of maintaining public order.
NSW’s new anti-protest laws, rushed through Parliament earlier this year, have been widely criticised as a disproportionate response to peaceful demonstrations and as an erosion of fundamental civil liberties.
Legal Support and Next Steps
O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors remains committed to defending individuals facing criminal charges or seeking redress for police misconduct at porotests. We advocate strongly for the protection of protest rights and civil liberties in NSW.
If you need legal advice or representation in matters involving protest rights, civil liberties, or claims against police, we encourage you to reach out.
Enquire online or call O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors on (02) 9261 4281. In some cases, we can also set up a free appointment with the civil lawyers in our Sydney office.
Read our Civil Case Studies on Actions Against Law Enforcement.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek professional legal assistance tailored to your circumstances.
