Hearing Block 7: Protests and policing
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will hold Hearing Block 7 in Sydney on 3 and 4 August 2026, related to protests and policing.
This hearing block will have a particular focus on events at the Sydney Opera House on
9 October 2023 and NSW Parliament House on 8 November 2025 and will examine through that lens:
- the democratic function played by protests in general
- hateful conduct that sometimes occurs in the context of protest activity
- how police respond to protests.
Hearing Block 7 aims to identify opportunities to tackle antisemitism and strengthen social cohesion in the policing of protest events.
"The right to engage in peaceful protest is a fundamental attribute of democratic life. The Commission’s focus in this hearing block will be on whether there are opportunities to improve the way police respond to antisemitic conduct in protest settings," Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC said.
The Royal Commission will continue to publish the list of witnesses the day before they are due to give evidence on the Commission’s website. Members of the public can attend hearings in person at 83 Clarence Street, Sydney or view the livestream of the public hearings on our website.