Last week Nannas pressured MPs for an independent investigation into police violence at the protest against Israeli President Herzog’s visit, attended a koala trivia night, wrote submissions, and learnt about the Doomsday Clock. We know we haven’t got long, but have you? Take action!
Friday 13 February: Protest Laws & investigation
Hunter Nannas visit Police Minister
Hunter Knitting Nannas visited the office of the NSW Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley, in Swansea to register their feelings about the conduct of the police last Monday at the anti-Herzog protest in Sydney. Three Nannas presented a letter to her staff on behalf of the Hunter Nannas, expressing their deep concerns about police behaviour. They also raised their objections to the NSW protest laws. Then each Nanna went in and had their say, writing down their name and a comment.
While the Nannas were there a group of agitators turned up outside the MPs office. They were identified as radical One Nation supporters. Apparently, they contact each other if they see something happening they disagree with so they can disrupt it. Their intention is to trigger people and then video them. Which didn’t work on the Nannas of course. But beware!
Investigation into Police Operation at Sydney Town Hall
Around midday, following the receipt of a significant number of complaints, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) announced that it had decided it would be in the public interest to investigate the police operation at Sydney Town Hall on Monday 9 February 2026, ‘including incidents of alleged misconduct on the part of NSW police officers against persons attending that location for a protest’. (LECC)
This is a significant win for the many people calling for an inquiry into the events last week. It’s an important first step, but changes need to be made to policing practice. Draconian NSW anti-protest laws need to be scrapped and the use of major events legislation for protests should be ruled out.
Even if you think your experience at the protest was minor, write down the time and place of the incident – be specific. What you saw or experienced may seem insignificant on its own but might be important when later combined with other information. Keep photos and videos of the event. We will advise what to do with this information soon.
Snap Rally: This is not a Police State
At 5.30pm Nannas attended a Snap Rally outside parliament house to call for the repeal of anti-protest laws and a stop to the Minns government’s crackdown on protests in support of Palestine.
Media
– Sydney Nanna quotes from Herzog protest (Sydney Knitting Nannas)
– When politicians fail, police go rogue, justice fails to protect (Michael West Media)
– Despite premier Chris Minns’ objection to an inquiry, Law Enforcement Conduct Commission says it is in the public interest to investigate ‘alleged misconduct’. (The Guardian)
– Chris Minns has cracked down on protests. Will it pay off? (ABC News)
– Sydney protesters want to sue police over alleged brutality at the anti-Herzog rally, but it will be a struggle (The Guardian)
Environment Minister approves coal expansion
Spotlighting might never be the same in Queensland. Yancoal and Peabody’s Middlemount coal mine expansion have been given the greenlight by Environment Minister Murray Watt to clear over 183 hectares of koala habitat and 82ha of greater glider habitat. (Lock the Gate)
Submission writing events
A bunch of Nannas had a lot of fun at the Koala Trivia Night at Glebe Town Hall on 10 February 2026. Nanna Bernie was the very entertaining MC of this well-planned Lock the Gate (LTG) event. There was a full house of sixty people, many of whom knew a lot about koalas. There were a lot of laughs as we learnt new and surprising facts about koalas.
Submissions to the Independent Planning Commission objecting to the Moolarben open cut coal mine were started in the break. If approved this mine expansion will bulldoze 113 hectares of breeding koala habitat that is critical to the survival of the local koala population.
The film, Voices of the Valley, was screened on Thursday 12 February at the Metropole Hotel in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains (organised by Rising Tide and the Blue Mountains Unions Council). Attendees brought their laptops and wrote Moolarben submissions on the night. They commented that it was good to be ‘doing something,’ and if they hadn’t done it together on the night, it probably would not have been done.
NSW Coal
Nannas were encouraged by reports from the delegation to NSW parliament from coal mining regions. They sought better resourcing for communities in the transition from coal to renewables and found politicians willing to listen to their submissions.
Meanwhile Nannas are getting as many objecting submissions into the Independent Planning Commission about the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project as we can. Submissions are open until 26 February.
Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty
Nannas Gill and Louise K attended the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Roundtable on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock is now set to 85 seconds to midnight for nuclear disaster. This is the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe. (ABC News)
There are calls for more action to reduce the risks of nuclear war, including countries to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Ninety-five nations have signed the treaty, including all the Pacific countries except Australia and Micronesia. It is important our government signs now when the world order is falling apart and there is escalating global tensions and nuclear brinkmanship.
Nannas are reading
Campaign group behind attack ads on Labor, Greens and teal candidates was funded by coal industry lobby (The Guardian)
Narrabri is a costly way to increase gas supply (IEEFA)
Forthcoming Events