Because they could.

The parallels to the past are striking! I have just been reading about Joh Belke-Peterson and it is eerie the way the past appears to be repeating:

1971 Springbok Tour & Secret Deals: In response to anti-apartheid protests, Bjelke-Petersen declared a month-long state of emergency, giving police extended powers. Evidence, including revelations in the book Three Crooked Kings, showed Bjelke-Petersen made a secret deal with the police union, promising officers they would not be penalized for any actions taken to suppress demonstrators.