Anti-racism rally organisers have refused to condemn the violence while accusing police of injuring their demonstrators and facilitating “racist” anti-immigration protests.
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 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.
“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.”
Victoria Police Association secretary Wayne GattCredit: Paul Jeffers
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said previously that he did not support a push for a permit system in Victoria.
On Monday, Allan said police had the tools and resources they needed to deal with the protesters, and the government would introduce additional legislation to parliament in the coming weeks to ban face coverings. These reforms were first promised by the government late last year.
Allan dismissed the effectiveness of a permit system, pointing to ongoing protests in Sydney as evidence that they do not deter demonstrators.
“I will repeat that yes, Melbourne’s CBD is safe. And I think it would be wrong and misleading to conflate the behaviour of a very small number of people who came to the city to bring violence, and they were dealt with swiftly by Victoria police,” she said.
Commander Wayne Cheesman tips out a box of rocks that were hurled at officers.Credit: Victoria Police
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.
The Coalition has criticised the government’s delay in enacting laws banning face coverings at protests – first promised last December – and has vowed to introduce a protest registration system if elected.
On Monday, Opposition Leader Brad Battin called for a “much tougher response”, saying extreme left-wing protesters have been allowed to take over the city and impact businesses for the past two years.
“What we saw on the weekend with these extreme protesters who have decided to throw rocks at police is nothing short of a disgrace,” he said.
“When is enough enough? When is the premier not just going to call it out but act and get rid of this on our streets?”
Victoria Police Commander Wayne Cheesman was irate in describing the attacks on officers by protesters. “Melbourne has had a gutful,” he said on Sunday.
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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.
Counter rally organiser Anneke Demanuele refused to condemn demonstrators who threw rocks, accusing police of using a press conference to attack activists on the left.
“I’m not condemning anything. The better question to be asked is why did a police commander go out of his way to praise fascists, racist protesters,” she told 3AW.
Some March for Australia demonstrators were heard chanting racist slogans, including “white man fight back”, and were seen rushing to confront counter-protesters.
The Age identified several members of the neo-nazi group National Socialist Network in the anti-immigration crowd, wearing plain clothes.
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, including the use of pepper spray and rubber bullets.
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