This afternoon, my office has been flooded with calls and emails from community members concerned about police violence during last night’s protest in Sydney. 

People, including elderly protesters who have been attending demonstrations for decades, told me they had never seen anything like it — being pepper sprayed or physically harmed while exercising their right to protest. Force used against people exercising their right to protest cannot go unchecked.

I am calling for an independent investigation into police conduct, as requested this evening by the Human Rights Law Centre. Police violence must be examined openly and transparently.  The investigation will determine whether last night’s violence reflects a culture of excessive force, isolated poor judgment by individual officers, or other contributing factors.

Peaceful protest is a democratic right and must be protected, and law enforcement must work for, not against, the people.