Victoria's peak Indigenous legal service has criticised the state's police response to anti-war demonstrations in Naarm on Wednesday, arguing protest sits at the heart of our democracy.
At least 42 arrests were made, and dozens of protestors and police injured, in clashes between the two in the CBD as people demonstrated against the Land Forces exposition – an international military conference.
A Victorian Police spokesperson said they were "appalled" at the behaviour of the protestors, who numbered 1500 according to police estimates.
Footage showed fires on Spencer Street and protestors being attacked with tear gas by police. Victoria Police said 27 officers had required medical treatment so far.
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) said police using violence and brutality towards protestors exercising their right to have their voices heard is "unacceptable".
VALS chief executive Nerita Waight said Victoria Police's use of 'designated area' powers under section 10D(1) of the Control of Weapons Act 1990 and special police powers under section 21B of the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 was a "disturbing encroachment on the freedom to peaceful protest and free speech".
"Our people, and all people, have a human right to have our voices heard on issues which affect us. Protests must be safe spaces for all people. Where police use excessive force, this makes protests unsafe and goes against our right to protest peacefully," she said.
"The Government should be funding healthcare, housing and education to strengthen communities, not spending resources to protect a weapons expo."
Earlier this year, the Victorian government rejected calls by the Victorian police to introduce a permit system for protests, arguing freedom of speech is enshrined in the state's human rights charter.
VALS backed this, arguing the calls by the Victorian Police Association were "yet another knee-jerk reaction" based on media reports and "not representative of the wider Victorian community".
Police Commissioner Shane Patton said his officers "have my full support, for the way they've conducted themselves," during a press conference on the police response to the protest.
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell said her party had lodged a formal protest to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).
She took to social media, stating: "We have seen police throw flash grenades into crowds of protesters, use pepper spray indiscriminately, and whip people with horse whip."
"These are military-style tactics used by police against protesters who are trying to have their say, as is their democratic right," she said.
In response, Mr Patton called those claims "rubbish".
A Victorian Police spokesperson said some police were "assaulted" by protestors.
"Whilst we respect the right for individuals to protest lawfully, we will not tolerate the behaviour of those who break the law," the spokesperson said.
"Officers have been forced to deploy various tactical options, including foam baton rounds, flash distraction devices, and PAVA powder (PAVA is a synthetic Oleoresin Capsicum product) to respond to those committing offences and to deter further offending."
VALS called for transparency for the police's use of their powers, arguing there is "currently no evidence available that the Land Forces Exposition might have been, or might be, the subject of a terrorist act".
Peaceful advocacy, protest, and dissent is explicitly defined in that Act to not be a terrorist act.
