Dozens of revellers have been interviewed by police over a brawl which spilled out of a Melbourne record launch and left seven people in hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Authorities have been forced to defend their handling of the chaos involving up to 200 people outside Collingwood's Gasometer Hotel early on Sunday.
The hotel and organisers went ahead with the 66 Records event despite police advice it should be cancelled because "undesirable" people planned to attend and it would likely be a high-risk event.
Seven people including an 18-year-old man hit by a car were injured, while the suspected driver was later arrested and then released.
On Tuesday, police said statements had been obtained by about 40 witnesses and the car was being forensically examined.
The 18-year-old crash victim remains in the Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition and his injured leg has not been amputated, contrary to initial police advice.
Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville has criticised those who overrode authorities' advice not to go ahead with the event.
"What concerns me the most is I understand there were conversations about this event not occurring because of some of the risks that police had identified to the organisers and the legal teams. They were in those meetings," she told reporters earlier in the day.
The minister also denied suggestions police did not provide adequate resources at the scene due to a fear of complaints, with legal observers present.
"I have never ever seen any evidence to suggest Victoria Police shy away from making arrests based on fear of complaints, ever," she said.
Nine observers from Melbourne Activist Legal Support attended the 66 Records launch on the organisers' request, after police said they would be there.
In a statement, MALS said the policing of the event was appropriate and only a minority of the crowd were involved in fighting, which broke out around the time launch was wrapping up.
The legal observers said they did not witness any "gangs" or "gang-like behaviours", with the violence mainly between young men affected by alcohol.
"Based upon our observations at the event, the calls by some parties for more police resources, powers or numbers after this event are duplicitous," Melbourne Activist Legal Support said.
Event organiser J-Nelly was contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
