NSW Police Officer Charged After Arrest of Hannah Thomas
A major development has unfolded in New South Wales, where a police officer has been formally charged with assault over the arrest of former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas during a protest earlier this year. This case has sparked heated debate about policing, civil liberties, and the right to protest in Australia.
Back in June, Hannah Thomas joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside a manufacturing facility in south-west Sydney. Protesters had claimed the company was linked to the production of components for F-35 fighter jets, which are flown by the Israeli military. The company itself has denied those allegations. During the protest, police moved in to disperse the group. It was during this process that Thomas was arrested, and she later alleged that she had been punched by a male officer. That blow caused a serious injury to her eye, requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment.
Initially, Thomas herself faced charges, including allegations of failing to comply with police directions. But those charges were dropped earlier this month by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In fact, she was awarded nearly $22,000 in legal costs, with the court finding the prosecution against her had no proper basis. Her lawyer has since confirmed that civil action against the state of New South Wales will also be pursued, arguing that she was subjected not only to unlawful violence but also to malicious prosecution.
Also Read:Now, attention has shifted back to the police officer involved. A 33-year-old senior constable from a specialist command has been issued a court attendance notice for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. His employment status is currently under review, and he is expected to appear before Bankstown Local Court in November. The matter is also the subject of a critical incident investigation, overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, which is tasked with ensuring independent scrutiny when serious injuries or deaths occur during police operations.
Reaction to the charge has been strong. Thomas’s lawyer welcomed the move, describing the alleged assault as a “cowardly and gratuitous act of violence.” He went further, saying the police leadership’s immediate denial of any wrongdoing was deeply troubling, especially given what he called clear evidence to the contrary. He also argued that the case highlights broader concerns about how protest activity is policed in New South Wales, suggesting that there has been a deliberate effort to suppress dissent.
For her part, Hannah Thomas has framed the development as vindication, not only for herself but also for others who have been involved in Palestine solidarity protests. She has spoken about a broader “war on protest” and urged people to defend their democratic rights by continuing to speak out.
Political figures have weighed in too. Greens MLC Sue Higginson described the charging of the officer as an important and overdue step, while NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley has confirmed the matter is being properly investigated and will now proceed before the courts.
With the officer’s first court date set for November and civil proceedings looming, this case is far from over. It raises bigger questions about accountability, policing methods, and the limits of protest in a democracy — issues that will continue to resonate well beyond this single courtroom.
Read More:
0 Comments