Summary

In September 2000, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks announced that he would hold a barbecue reception at Parliament House to thank 4000 police officers who attended the protests at the World Economic Forum meeting, held in Melbourne earlier that month. Many protesters had been seriously injured by police who used 'potentially lethal' force whilst administering 'collective punishment', according to independent legal observers. After an outcry by Victorian unions, community groups and sections of the Labor Party, Bracks cancelled the event.

Details

According to a report from independent legal observers, demonstrators were beaten and trampled by horses on several occasions at the protests. These police manouvres, they found, amounted to "collective punishment", were "potentially lethal" and "resulted in an incredibly high level of serious personal injuries". This treatment was to prompt 47 of the victims of police violence initiate litigation which was eventually withdrawn in 2007, when Victoria Police paid a settlement of $700,000. Shortly after the incidents, Bracks announced the barbecue for police to thank them for their efforts. The premier claimed that the protesters "deserved everything they got", and congratulated the police for their "sterling and outstanding job under enormous provocation". However, supporters of the victims, several unions, community groups and sections of the Labor Party, publicly criticised the planned event. The executive of the Victorian Trades Hall Council passed a motion condemning the government's actions. Michele O'Neill from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia's labelled Bracks' statements a "disgrace". In response to the uproar, Bracks cancelled the event, explaining that the barbecue was "not logistically possible".

Quotes from Sean Healy (2000) "Bracks under fire on S11 police violence". Details below.

Resources

Fliers

• Injured Protesters League, Bracks = Jeff: Why is he Rewarding Police Violence?, Melbourne, September, 1 pp. PDF Details

Online Resources

• Australian Associated Press, Furore Over Protesters' Payouts: Report, The Age (Online), 4 March, 2007, https://www.theage.com.au/national/furore-over-protesters-payouts-report-20070304-gdplez.html. Details
• Healy, Sean, Bracks under fire on S11 police violence, Green Left Weekly, Melbourne, 27 September, 2000, https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/bracks-under-fire-s11-police-violence. pdf Details
• Pt'chang Nonviolent Community Safety Group Inc., Legal Observer Team Report: World Economic Forum Protests, Pt’chang Nonviolent Community Safety Group Inc., Melbourne, March, 2001, 31 pp, http://ptchang.org/download.htm. PDF Details