Elderly Protester Pushed from Bike onto Tram Tracks at Melbourne Rally
"Police have a job to do, but they should do it within the confines of human decency."
— Bob, protester
Melbourne — An elderly protester was knocked from his bicycle onto tram tracks during a disability funding rally in the city, part of a national day of action against proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The incident involved Bob, a member of Social Alliance, who said he was pushed by police after confronting them over the arrest of a woman who had heckled a politician. Bob acknowledged that "police have a job to do" but stated they should perform it "within the confines of human decency." He said he could not recall what he said to officers before the push.
Separate confrontations also saw police intervene with a younger man who allegedly tried to punch officers.
Rally organisers condemned the police response as excessive. Andrew Brethern, co-organiser of Protect Our NDIS, said officers failed to account for accessibility concerns, making protesters "feel like second-class citizens."
Victoria Police issued a statement confirming the man on the bike was not arrested and that the incident remains under investigation. Both a man and a woman were taken from the scene, processed, and later released.
Organisers pledged to continue their campaign against the NDIS cuts, vowing further action in the weeks ahead.