NSW Opposition Leader Slams 'Professional Protesters' After Sydney Police Station Surrounded
NSW Opposition leader Kelly Sloane has strongly condemned what she described as 'professional protesters' and 'ratbags' who surrounded Surry Hills Police Station in Sydney overnight. The incident saw officers form a protective ring around the building as tensions escalated following violent clashes during earlier demonstrations.
Escalating Tensions and Political Condemnation
Hundreds of people gathered outside the police station to protest police actions during Monday night's CBD demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia. That earlier protest resulted in 27 arrests, nine charges, and 10 police officers injured, with one officer allegedly having his hand bitten while attempting to control the crowd.
Tuesday night's rally followed these violent clashes, prompting widespread political condemnation and renewed debate about protest conduct, police powers, and public order in New South Wales. The situation has highlighted deep divisions within the community and among political leaders regarding appropriate protest behavior and police response.
Sloane Calls for Calm and Justice
Sloane told Sunrise on Wednesday that those at the front of the rallies needed to start listening to police and the broader community. She argued that many Australians were fed up with weekly disruptions to the city and called for a reduction in tensions.
'We need to bring down the temperature,' Sloane said. 'There were very good people who attended those rallies who dispersed peacefully. But those that stayed, that put our police officers at risk, who put other people at risk, need to be brought to justice.'
The Opposition leader expressed growing frustration among taxpayers who feel police resources are being diverted away from local communities to manage repeated protests. She highlighted the strain on families dealing with rising costs and neighborhood crime while police attention is focused on protest management.
Activists Offer Different Perspective
Josh Lees, Palestine Action Group organiser, has offered a very different version of events and condemned the actions of police at Monday's rally. He accused NSW Premier Chris Minns of 'unleashing a brutal police riot against peaceful protesters' and supporting genocide through Australia's relationship with Israel.
Lees described scenes of police charging crowds with horses, indiscriminately pepper-spraying protesters, and violently attacking people, including Muslim men kneeling in prayer. He demanded immediate release of those arrested, dropping of charges, and an independent investigation into police conduct.
Grace Tame's Controversial Chant Sparks Backlash
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has been pulled into the controversy after being filmed leading protesters in chanting 'from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada' during Monday's rally. The term 'intifada' translates from Arabic to 'uprising' and is closely associated with two violent periods of Palestinian protest against Israel.
The NSW government is moving to outlaw the phrase as part of efforts to restore social cohesion, with Queensland also considering similar measures under new hate speech laws. Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce called for Tame to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title, describing her actions as 'a curse' rather than the virtue she previously represented.
Political Responses and Calls for Calm
Sloane also took aim at Labor MPs who were spotted at the protest despite warnings to avoid the CBD, saying this was 'undermining' Premier Minns's leadership. She emphasized the need for consistency from elected officials and those in positions of power and influence.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil urged caution amid what she described as a growing national backlash, reminding Australians of Tame's important work in child safety while strongly opposing the controversial chant. O'Neil warned of the impact such language has on Jewish Australians and called for turning down the temperature on national discourse.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Sunrise that while Tame's award recognized her bravery in sharing her personal story of sexual abuse, this did not excuse her conduct. McKenzie called for prosecution if Tame was found to be inciting violence and hate toward the Jewish community.
The ongoing controversy has sparked intense debate about protest rights, police powers, social cohesion, and political leadership in New South Wales, with no immediate resolution in sight as community tensions remain high.
