Greenwich rejects ‘siding with police’ claims

State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich has vigorously rejected allegations by gay rights group Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) that he is siding with police on claims of police brutality at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras.

As reported last week, CAAH representatives have asserted that the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras committee, GLBTI health and wellbeing group ACON, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, and Mr Greenwich have failed to support calls for an external, independent investigation into alleged police brutality at this year’s Mardi Gras Festival.

Internal police investigations are currently underway into three separate instances of alleged police brutality, which drew worldwide publicity when footage of one incident, concerning 18-year-old Jamie Jackson, went viral on YouTube.

However, Mr Greenwich said this week he does in fact support a comprehensive external investigation into the incidents, and that his tacit support for the internal investigations relate to the absence of an independent body to conduct inquiries into the NSW Police Force.

The establishment of such a body to conduct independent investigations was vital, he said.

“I support a full and thorough independent external investigation into these instances,” Mr Greenwich said.

“Because such a body that could conduct this investigation does not currently exist, I will continue to campaign for one.”

Mr Greenwich accused CAAH of misrepresenting him, claiming he had repeatedly told the organisation he supported an external investigation.

“I have made it very clear to them on multiple occasions that I support a full, thorough independent external investigation and will campaign for the creation of such a body,” said Mr Greenwich.

“My focus from the moment I saw the distressing footage was to seek justice for those involved through any option possible, and to campaign for additional options, including an independent external investigation, to ensure community confidence in policing is restored and strengthened.”

Mr Greenwich’s comments come as 32-year-old Bryn Hutchinson – one of the three alleged victims of police brutality – is due to face court on charges of assaulting police.

Mr Hutchinson will appear in the Downing Centre District Court at 9am this Friday, April 5.

CAHH will hold a rally outside the hearing, calling on police to drop all charges against Mr Hutchinson.

The event follows last month’s CAAH-organised rally against police brutality at Taylor Square, in the heart of Sydney’s gay district, which attracted an estimated 2000 participants.