The ongoing pro-Palestine protests in Melbourne have resulted in significant costs to taxpayers, with a two-year policing operation tallying over $25 million. According to the Parliamentary Budget Office, the initiative, known as Operation Park, began in October 2023 in response to weekly demonstrations against the conflict in Gaza.
Operational expenses for the police have reached $10.2 million, accounting for 40 percent of the total figure. The remaining $14.9 million pertains to police officer salaries, which reflect nearly 24,000 shifts logged during this period. Notably, the parliamentary office indicated that almost 60 percent of the total expenditure consists of salary costs categorized as “business-as-usual,” implying these costs would have occurred regardless of the protests.
Operational Costs Breakdown
The operational costs include various components, such as allowances, overtime, corporate expenses, communications, and transport. These figures come amid rising concerns from several political figures regarding the effectiveness of police resource allocation.
Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin criticized the protests, asserting they “hijacked” the city and diminished Melbourne’s appeal as a safe destination. Battin proposed the introduction of a protest registration system to ensure law enforcement remains focused on combating crime rather than managing regular demonstrations.
Opposition police spokesperson David Southwick, who sought independent cost assessments on August 21, placed blame on Premier Jacinta Allan, stating, “Victoria has gone from the protest state to the hate state, and her weak leadership has allowed extremists to hijack our streets without consequences.”
Background of the Protests
The protests have been occurring weekly since October 7, 2023, a date marked by a reported attack by the militant group Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies report that nearly 65,000 Palestinians, including over 20,000 children, have died as a result of the conflict.
The situation has drawn international scrutiny, culminating in a recent United Nations inquiry, which included former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti. The inquiry concluded that Israel had committed acts of genocide, a claim that Israel has consistently denied.
As the protests continue, both the financial implications and the broader social impact are under intense debate within the community and political arenas.
