<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Police will drop a charge against Greens candidate Hannah Thomas after a review found that officers should not have used rare emergency powers that were introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hannah-thomas-former-greens-candidate-blames-nsw-premier-for-protest-clash/bf9f3b4d-b13c-49b5-a7ea-4051665ae7dc" rel="" target="_blank" title="Thomas may permanently lose vision in her right eye "><span>Thomas may permanently lose vision in her right eye</span></a><span> after she was injured during an arrest at a 60-person strong pro-Palestine protest in Belmore, in Sydney's south-west, on June 27.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 35-year-old, who contested Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler at the federal election, was charged with resisting police and refusing or failing to comply with a direction to disperse.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-mushroom-poisoning-trial-live-updates-verdict-latest-news-headlines/ef5eb4ef-82b3-4f04-9ba5-e470a5d778f1" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Erin Patterson found guilty in mushroom triple-murder trial</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><em><span>Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span> last week revealed the second charge had cited emergency anti-riot powers under part 6A of the Law Enforcement Powers and Responsibilities Act (LEPRA).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That power requires authorisation by an assistant commissioner or a higher rank to quell "large-scale public disorders".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, who has declared this a critical incident, said he reviewed the charges and would withdraw the anti-riot charge.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-police-drop-antiriot-charge-against-greens-candidate-hannah-thomas/61f289cf-d025-4c03-9cea-e03e69aafdb9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He will instead charge her with refusing or failing to comply with a direction under part 14 of LEPRA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"On Monday 30 June 2025, I put in place a process to review the charges laid in this matter to ensure the relevant and most appropriate charges are applied," he said in a statement today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The review is part of normal critical incident protocols.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As part of the review an additional charge of refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14, section 199(1), LEPRA 2002, has been laid today. At the next court appearance, police will seek to withdraw the alternative charge under section 87ma(4)."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The critical incident investigation is ongoing and will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hendra-virus-queensland-records-first-fatal-case-in-three-years/b8b851df-e05a-4a7d-b32e-28da5bb6917e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Queensland records first fatal case of deadly virus in three years</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thomas has insisted the protests outside SEC Plating on Lakemba Street were peaceful and has engaged lawyers, who are investigating all legal avenues. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are exploring all legal avenues to ensure accountability and to protect the rights of those who seek to exercise their fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression," her lawyer Peter O'Brien said in a statement today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Excessive force by police is a matter of serious concern and must be carefully examined through proper legal processes."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Protesters claimed SEC Plating supplies parts used to manufacture F-35 jets, which are flown by the Israel Defence Forces — a claim the company denies. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>McFadden last week alleged the protest was unauthorised, blocked pedestrian access and the crowd were directed to move on twice.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A few protesters, including Thomas acting as a legal observer, allegedly failed to comply and were arrested.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some were involved in an alleged "scuffle" with officers. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/brisbane-duo-jailed-after-brewing-up-coffee-grinder-meth-plot/4b16a34b-09d4-4aaa-9b96-7cc987fdff9d" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Duo jailed after brewing up coffee grinder meth plot worth $80 million</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thomas suffered serious facial injuries during her arrest and was rushed to Bankstown Hospital, where she underwent surgery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't want to get into too much detail about the traumatic events on Friday, but I'm 5'1", I weigh about 45 kilos," Thomas said in a video from her hospital bed on June 29.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I was engaged in peaceful protests, and my interactions with NSW Police have left me potentially without vision in my right eye permanently."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thomas will face Bankstown Local Court on August 12. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A total of five have been charged in relation to the protest, and investigations remain ongoing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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