On 21 June, Hannah Thomas, the daughter of Malaysia’s former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, suffered serious facial injuries during a pro-Palestine demonstration in Belmore, Sydney. Australian police arrested the 35-year-old activist and she is now facing charges related to the protest.
Thomas, who stood as a candidate for the Australian Greens in the May 2025 federal election, joined a crowd of demonstrators early that morning outside SEC Plating — a company accused by activists of providing parts used in military equipment for Israel.
Protesters reportedly began gathering at 5:30 a.m. to obstruct entry to the facility.
Protest Declared Unlawful
New South Wales Police deemed the protest unauthorised, citing non-compliance with local laws requiring advance notification. Authorities moved in to disperse the crowd, and in the process, officers allegedly used force on Thomas.
Footage circulated online shows Thomas with heavy bruising and swelling around her right eye. Paramedics later took her to Bankstown Hospital, where doctors are monitoring her condition. Her legal team said the injuries could risk permanent damage to her vision.
Legal Action and Police Response
NSW police issued Thomas with a Future Court Attendance Notice on 30 June, accusing her of resisting arrest and failing to follow police orders to disperse. She is scheduled to appear in Bankstown Local Court on 12 August.
Police also detained four other protesters during the same operation. All have been granted conditional bail.
Police confirmed that while they routinely assess incidents involving use of force, this case has not been classified as a ‘critical incident’ and will not trigger a formal misconduct investigation at this stage.
Political Profile and Reactions
Thomas has lived in Australia since 2009 and recently contested the Grayndler seat—held by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese—as a Greens candidate. Her campaign had centred on social justice issues, including support for Palestine, environmental protection, and fair immigration policies.
Following the protest, Thomas posted a short video from her hospital bed, thanking those who had reached out and expressing her ongoing recovery from the ordeal.
The incident has sparked public concern and renewed scrutiny of Australia’s protest laws. Several Greens lawmakers, including NSW Legislative Council member Sue Higginson, have called for an independent review of the police response, warning of increasingly aggressive measures against peaceful demonstrations.
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@nstonline NSTTV Hannah Thomas, daughter of former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, has said her injury during a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney was minor compared to the suffering faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
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