The police union is calling on the Victorian government to introduce a NSW-like permit system to regulate protests and protect police after officers were hospitalised in skirmishes with protesters in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday.

Police spent hours on Sunday afternoon trying to keep anti-immigration and counterprotesters apart. Both groups had about 1000 people each, and police accused the counterprotesters of throwing rocks at officers.

One sergeant was taken to hospital with a suspected broken hand after being kicked by protesters, and a senior constable suffered a gash to his leg. Three others were hit by rocks.

The Police Association of Victoria’s chief executive Wayne Gatt said officers would continue to be hurt as long as there was a “completely unregulated protest environment” in th

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