the police minister, Yasmin Catley, who under the legislation must approve the decision to extend the declaration.

Catley said on Friday the government “unequivocally supports the commissioner’s decision”.

“Decisions of this nature are rightly made by the NSW police force, based on intelligence, risk assessment and their on-the-ground understanding of community safety.”

To a person with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. These people in power need to be careful.

The potential for violence within a protest, caused by protestors, counterprotestors, or police, isn’t the only way social cohesion can be ripped apart.