SYDNEY: NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that new anti-protest laws now in force in the state mean the owner of a high-rise unit destroyed in a police raid cannot seek civil damages from the NSW Police Service.

The unit owner, 68-year-old retiree Harold Snerd who remains in intensive care in Sutherland Hospital with severe injuries, had been entertaining family and friends on the balcony of his eighth-floor home in the southern Sydney suburb of Sans Souci overlooking the Georges River flowing into Botany Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

His guests were also taken to hospital for treatment but have since been released.

One of those present told The Bug that Mr Snerd had been pointing out the features of his unit, and at one stage noted that it offered views “from the river to the sea”.

“It was soon after that when a large contingent of police officers in riot gear arrived and kicked in the front door,” the guest said. “They peppered sprayed everyone while baton-charging us and wrestling everyone to the ground.

“I couldn’t see what was going on after that because my eyes were watering and stinging so badly, but I think that’s when most of the injuries happened.

“It was certainly at that point that the pepper spray was ignited by the flames of a small balcony barbecue and the fire soon spread, destroying poor Harry’s unit,” the guest said. (main picture)

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Minns, (below) confirmed that new anti-protest laws meant Mr Snerd would have no recourse against the NSW Police Service nor his government.

“If people like Snerd, who is clearly antisemitic, wish to flout the law then they take the consequences,” he said. “That’s what living in a democracy is all about.”

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