The nation's largest Aboriginal organisation has called for an independent investigation into the actions of police against protesters at an Australia Day function that left the prime minister and opposition leader running for safety.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Geoff Scott wants Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda to conduct the inquiry.
He made the call following the release of footage of the incident outside the Lobby restaurant in Canberra which he said showed Australian Federal Police dealing inappropriately with the protesters who gathered outside the venue.
"The actions of police require, at the very least, an independent investigation," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Some sanity needs to be restored to public debate around this issue. We need to get to the truth."
Aboriginal tent embassy supporters went to the restaurant after a tip-off that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was there, to protest what they mistakenly believed was a call by him to close the embassy.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was also present and as the protest escalated her security detail advised she leave.
Ms Gillard was bundled down some steps, losing a shoe and almost tumbling as she was taken to a waiting car, with Mr Abbott running close behind.
Mr Scott said he did not believe Gillard staffer Tony Hodges, who resigned after the tip-off to protesters was linked to the prime minister's office, in any way acted with malice.
"I don't believe there was any malice in his actions, or that of the opposition," he said.
Michael Anderson, the last surviving member of the original four that established the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972, backed the calls for an independent investigation.
"I was quite shocked at the behaviour of some police," Mr Anderson said in a statement on Tuesday.
"As far as I was concerned, all they had to do after the prime minister's vehicle left was disband and everyone else would have as well."
Instead, police linked arms, unholstered their weapons and began confronting protesters, Mr Anderson said.
"I believe if anyone is going to be charged, they need to look at the conduct of several police officers."
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