Hannah Thomas, a former Greens candidate who was seriously injured during a protest in Sydney, has had all criminal charges against her withdrawn. Represented by our Principal Solicitor, Peter O'Brien and Elliot Rowe, Thomas is now pursuing civil action against NSW Police, alleging malicious prosecution and excessive use of force.
Watch Hannah Thomas' video of the press conference after her court appearance:
Arrest and Injury During June Protest
On 27 June 2025, Thomas was arrested at a protest outside SEC Platingin Belmore, Sydney. The demonstration, attended by approximately 60 people, was declared unauthorised by police. During the arrest, Hannah Thomas sustained a serious injury to her right eye, which required two rounds of surgery.
She alleges that a male officer punched her in the head during the arrest.
"The punch I sustained was just one example of police brutality that morning. The actions of every cop at that protest should be reviewed." - The Guardian
"It took the police two days to charge me, but 73 days later, the male police officer who punched me in the head with enough force to rip open my right eyeball has not been charged." - The Guardian
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Thomas added:
"If he was willing to punch me in the face in front of so many witnesses and with people filming, I shudder to think what he is doing when no one's watching." - SMH
Hannah Thomas was later charged with resisting arrest, failing to comply with a move-on direction, and a rarely used riot-era emergency power offence introduced after the Cronulla riots.
Read our other successful Civil Case Studies for Actions Against Police Enforcement.
Charges Against Hannah Thomas Withdrawn in Court
On Tuesday 9 September, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions announced in Bankstown Local Court that all charges against Thomas were being withdrawn.
Thomas's solicitor,Peter O'Brien, addressed the media outside court:
"The charges [against Thomas] were clearly unsustainable from the very beginning, and as a result, they've now been ... withdrawn. And that should have happened probably a long time ago." - The Guardian
"The charges against Thomas 'should never have been laid', and 'once they were laid, they should have been withdrawn a lot sooner than they were.'" - SMH
Thomas welcomed the outcome but stressed that it fell short of true accountability:
"The charges against me, which included a ridiculous charge relating to Cronulla riot-era emergency powers, should never have been brought." - ABC News
"Far from justice." - ABC News
"Four other protesters from the SE Plating action that morning are still facing unfair charges that should never have been brought... They deserve justice as well." - The Guardian
Civil Action for Hannah Thomas Against NSW Police Filed in Supreme Court
Peter O'Brien confirmed that a civil case has been launched against the NSW Police in the NSW Supreme Court, seeking damages and accountability for the events surrounding Thomas's arrest.
"It's a very serious injury, and compensation will be sought." - SMH
"The civil proceedings foreshadowed by Mr O'Brien, which he said are to be filed in the Supreme Court today, will include malicious prosecution and assault and battery by police." - ABC News
"He said he will also add malfeasance in public office and collateral abuse of process." - ABC News
O'Brien also stated:
"We expect the police officer, a police officer, will be charged. Others should certainly be disciplined." - SMH
Long-Term Impact and Political Context
Thomas continues to suffer the effects of her injury, with uncertainty over whether she will regain full vision in her right eye. The case has fuelled criticism of NSW's anti-protest laws, which Thomas argues have enabled excessive police power.
"She said protests would continue so long as the 'Albanese government maintains the two-way arms trade' with Israel." - The Guardian
"Weapons are still being made in suburbs across this country, weapons that are used by the state of Israel to kill kids in Gaza every single day for more than 700 days." - The Guardian
Despite the ordeal, she remains committed to her cause. As O'Brien told ABC News:
"She is very keen to ensure that the issues she's fighting for remain at the forefront of people's minds in Australia." - ABC News
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