New police pat-down powers in Melbourne face legal challenge from ‘Greedozer’ activist and Invasion Day rally organiser

<p>Benny Zable worries Victoria police powers will target mask wearers, while Tarneen Onus Browne warns it will ‘supercharge the harassment’ of Indigenous people</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/dec/08/australia-news-live-politics-coalition-housing-policy-liberal-labor-vic-nsw-qld-tasmania-weather-bushfires-economy-education-health-social-media-cost-of-living">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>An organiser of Melbourne’s annual Invasion Day rally and an 80-year-old environmental activist are leading a federal court challenge against a Victoria police declaration allowing them to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/25/melbourne-police-search-powers-warrantless-pat-downs-six-months">stop and search anyone in the CBD f</a>or the next six months.</p><p>The Human Rights Law Centre, acting for plaintiffs Tarneen Onus Browne and Benny Zable, filed the challenge on Monday and said they want it heard by the federal court before an Invasion Day rally planned for 26 January.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/08/melbourne-cbd-search-zone-laws-legal-challenge-greedozer-invasion-day-rally-organiser">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →