I want to acknowledge at the outset that the images and footage that many of us have seen over the past few days, through both traditional media and social media, have been confronting and distressing. I understand why these events have caused deep concern within our community.

Many people in the Blue Mountains have contacted my office to express their shock, unease, and strong feelings about what occurred in the Sydney CBD.

I want you to know that I am listening carefully, and that I am conveying the genuine and widespread concerns of our community directly to the Premier, the Minister for Police, and my parliamentary colleagues.

I have been advised that police were managing an unusually complex and highly sensitive environment at the time, with multiple significant events occurring concurrently. This included large numbers of mourners from the Jewish community following the Bondi attack, alongside public demonstrations taking place under specific legal conditions. I am told that significant security considerations were in place, and that police were operating under Major Events powers and a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration, with protest
organisers briefed on the arrangements.

I understand that, in discussions on Monday, alternatives were put to protest organisers by police: for a possible rally in Hyde Park then a march down College Street. That option was not taken up. I am told that police were given clear assurances by protest organisers that there would be no march and no attempt to move through the CBD, given the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration.

That context does not diminish how confronting the images have been, nor the importance of maintaining public confidence in the way protests are managed.

Many constituents have raised concerns about proportionality, communication, violence, and the lived experience of people on the ground. These concerns are legitimate, and they deserve to be taken seriously. Many people attended and protested peacefully.

I have sought reassurance that established processes for reviewing police conduct will be applied, and that officers will be held accountable for their actions. I have also been advised that the NSW Police Commissioner has publicly committed to reviewing events, with each officer responsible for justifying their actions where required. I will continue to monitor this closely and to advocate for transparency and accountability, because community trust matters.

I want to be clear that peaceful protest and public safety must be held in balance. Our state must remain a place where people can express differing views without fear, intimidation, or harm. Calm, respect and cooperation are essential if we are to protect both democratic rights and community cohesion, particularly at times of heightened emotion.

It must be pointed out that there has been no ban on protests. Legislation late last year, after the Bondi massacre, focused on Public Assembly Restriction Declarations only after terrorist attacks, for a temporary period. There was a Q&A document, explaining the circumstances when these restrictions might be put in place, forwarded to many residents who emailed me in December and January.

I believe in the right to peacefully protest.

I believe in the common purpose of coming together with a shared goal of peace.

I will continue to share the concerns raised by Blue Mountains residents with the Government, and if I receive any further advice or updates, I will ensure the community is kept informed.

Furthermore, the views of my constituents and requests for an Independent Inquiry and for investigations by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) into the police response at the protest have been personally communicated to the Minister for Police and the Premier this week.

I really appreciate your engagement, and the respectful way many of you have approached me at this difficult time. I ask for this respect to be extended to my staff, who are hard-working public servants, and have been taking calls, speaking to people visiting our office and dealing with a large volume of emails.

A decision was made to temporarily turn off comments on my social media pages, earlier this week, given a death threat to me and my family.

We must listen to one other and always strive for harmony and respect.