Warning: Graphic image
A former Greens candidate who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “may lose the sight in one eye” after being injured in a protest in Sydney.
Hannah Thomas, 35, was hurt in Belmore in the city’s south-west during the heated protest on Friday morning.
Images show her with one swollen eye closed and blood down her face.
NSW Police say around 60 protesters were blocking access to a business on Lakemba Street, which reportedly supplies materials to make weapons.
Police said the protest was “unauthorised”, and said some of the group didn’t follow a direction to move on and were arrested.
A police statement said a “scuffle” between police and protesters broke out.
Thomas suffered facial injuries during the incident, with the Greens accusing police of being heavy handed.
New South Wales Greens MLC Sue Higginson told The Guardian “it was possible she may lose vision in that eye.”
The Greens said in a statement: “NSW Police violently attacked and assaulted protestors at the ‘peaceful’ picket.”
NSW Police said Thomas was taken to Bankstown Hospital.
The Greens says the factory is involved in making parts for F-35 jets, which are used by countries including Israel.
Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge stated: “When law enforcement is used to safeguard arms manufacturers instead of upholding the right to peaceful demonstration, we need to question whose interests they are truly prioritizing.”
Five people were arrested including climate protester Zack Schofield from Rising Tide.
Another protester, aged 24, was arrested for allegedly taking a body camera worn by an officer.
He was charged with larceny and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen
A 29-year-old woman was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14.
A 41-year-old man was charged with use offensive language in/near public place/school.
A 26-year-old man was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14 and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
They were all granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
Thomas ran against Anthony Albanese in Grayndler in Sydney’s Inner West in the last election.
Her injuries are being reported on in Malaysian media, because her father is the nation’s former attorney-general.
