The community organisation, Australia-Hong Kong Link want the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to publicly denounce the Hong Kong authorities amid mass protests in the city over an extradition bill which would make it easier to send criminal suspects to mainland China.
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Thursday urged protesters and Hong Kong authorities to avoid further violence which has seen at least 72 people taken to hospital.
"Australia supports the right of people to protest peacefully and to exercise their freedom of speech, and we urge all sides to show restraint and avoid violence," she said.
The government should instead denounce the Hong Kong authorities, says a spokesperson from the Australia-Hong Kong Link, who are accusing the city's police of "acts of violence" which are "disproportionate" to the protests.
June 12, 2019 - Hong Kong -The gas does its job with ruthless efficency. Source: AAP
The Link has been behind numerous demonstrations across Australia over the past week, which have attracted thousands.
"We, Australian Hongkongers and Hongkongers residing in Australia, gravely condemn the use of tear gas water cannons, bean bag rounds and rubber bullets by the Hong Kong SAR government and the Hong Kong Police against ordinary citizens," the spokesperson told SBS Cantonese.
"Hongkongers in Australia will unite and escalate our actions in support of our fellow Hongkongers back home. Furthermore, we urge the Australian government to issue a public statement in denouncement of the violence of Hong Kong Police under orders from the Hong Kong SAR government.
"Instead of protecting the safety of citizens, as they should be doing under the Police Oath they took as they became officers, the Hong Kong Police stood against ordinary people, threatening and injuring them using military-grade weapons."
The legal changes in Hong Kong would allow the extradition of people, including Australians living or travelling through the city to mainland China.
June 12, 2019 - Hong Kong -A superior targets protestors for his men to hit with rubber bullets. Source: AAP
The police in Hong Kong have used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters, who have vowed to continue fighting the proposed bill.
This wave of demonstrations comes after a million protesters took to the streets over the weekend.
A protest has been planned in front of Queensland University on Thursday, which comes after assemblies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide throughout the week.
A demonstration in Sydney on Sunday. Source: Jane Poon
