A planned pro-Hamas protest on Brisbane’s Story Bridge was blocked by the courts after police raised concerns about serious risks to public safety and order.

Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman told Sky News host Steve Price that authorities were right to step in.
“It was all around about the issues of public safety,” Newman explained. “The police were able to convince the court that they were very worried that this thing could get out of hand.”

The decision reflects growing concerns in Australia and around the world about the potential for pro-Palestinian demonstrations to escalate into unrest, with rallies in recent months often marked by hostility and anti-Israel rhetoric.

Supporters of the ruling argue that protecting community safety must come first and that preventing the protest from taking over such a critical piece of infrastructure as the Story Bridge was a responsible step.

The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel–Hamas conflict, with many Western governments increasingly cautious about large-scale pro-Palestinian rallies that can inflame divisions, while also reaffirming the importance of maintaining law, order, and security.