Tuesday, 14 May 2024

 David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (20:32): (884) My adjournment matter is for the Attorney-General. Last week the County Court of Victoria handed down its findings over a case concerning the use of unjustified violence by Victoria Police on lockdown protesters in May 2021. In her ruling Her Honour outlined several serious matters, bringing the conduct of certain members of Victoria Police into question. Evidence submitted by Victoria Police was found to be ‘disturbingly different’ to body cam footage. These inconsistencies included a lack of existence of a claimed police line; the accused, in response to being pushed by Victoria Police, being described as menacing while footage showed him to take no threatening stance or action; the lack of mentioning two punches to the head of the accused by Victoria Police in response to his non-threatening stance; and the unverifiable claim by Victoria Police that the accused was given verbal warnings to get on the ground. Police were also found to have breached the charter of human rights, specifically subsection 21(2), protection against arbitrary arrest, and 21(3), no deprivation of liberty except in accordance with the law.

As protectors of the public and enforcers of the law, members of Victoria Police are expected to demonstrate model execution, lawful behaviour and only justifiable use of force. A failing by Victoria Police to uphold these expectations damages the public trust in Victoria Police, and failing to address this or any unlawful behaviour damages the public trust in the government. I therefore call upon the Attorney-General, through her oversight and engagement with the public prosecutor, to hold these members of Victoria Police accountable for their unlawful actions, in full accordance with the law.