Hannah Thomas, a former Greens candidate, will take legal action against the New South Wales police after they dropped all charges against her following her arrest at a Sydney protest in June. Thomas, along with four others, was apprehended at a pro-Palestine demonstration at SEC Plating on 27th June. Approximately 60 people attended the event. She sustained a serious right-eye injury, which required two surgical interventions. Her lawyers contend that a police officer physically assaulted her.
At the Bankstown Local Court, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions announced the dismissal of the three charges filed against Thomas. Among these charges, a rare emergency power – invoked following the 2005 Cronulla riots – was mentioned. Thomas’s solicitor, Peter O’Brien, stated that his team will initiate civil litigation in the Supreme Court. The lawsuit will allege a malicious prosecution; assault and battery by police; abuse of process; and malfeasance in office.
Thomas expressed her relief but stressed that justice has yet to be served. She criticized the premier, Chris Minns, for imposing stringent anti-protest laws, which she believes have emboldened police to act violently. Four other protesters from the same event still face charges that Thomas considers unjust.
Originally, Thomas had pleaded not guilty to charges including resisting police, failure to heed a move-on direction, and refusal to disperse. It was announced in July that the most severe charge would be dropped, but a new charge of failing to follow a move-on directive would be pursued. Video evidence appeared to show Zach Schofield, another protester, being forcefully apprehended after asking about the legal basis for police actions.
The police have yet to be held accountable for their actions that day. Despite claims of no misconduct by the assistant commissioner Brett McFadden, Thomas says the incident and similar cases involving police force at protests need to be scrutinized. She emphasized the ongoing nature of protests against the “Albanese government’s two-way arm trade” with Israel, asserting that weapons manufactured in Australia are used to harm children in Gaza. The protest targeted SEC Plating, which denies allegations that it produces parts for the F-35 jet program.
Protests will continue as long as the current policies regarding the arms trade with Israel persist, according to Thomas. She also mentioned her continued vision problems stemming from her injuries and her upcoming third surgery. The police were unable to provide additional comments on the matter at the time.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/09/hannah-thomas-former-greens-nsw-police-drop-all-charges
