Police admit mistakes in Town Hall confrontation

Victoria Police have acknowledged making errors in their handling of a confrontation between Jewish community members and pro-Palestinian protesters outside Melbourne Town Hall in February.

Internal documents reveal police made false public statements about the incident and should not have issued them with a “move on” order.

Documents released under Freedom of Information laws show police incorrectly told media that Mark and Sharon Kuper did not have valid tickets to attend a Melbourne City Council meeting where a motion in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza was being debated and had not reported being assaulted, when both claims were wrong.

During a media conference the day after the 20 February incident, police said neither had tickets, that Sharon was only on a standby list and that Mark’s registration was in another name. They also claimed the couple had not reported being assaulted.

However, Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson later told colleagues that video footage “clearly shows” both statements were incorrect – the Kupers did have valid tickets and Mark Kuper had sought to report the assault at the scene.