Renewed crackdown on protesters called ‘cowardly’

FORMER Australian Greens leader Bob Brown is warning the State Liberal Party that its decision to reintroduce antiprotest laws struck down by the High Court will cost the party.

Resources Minister Guy Barnett said yesterday the Lib- erals would resurrect the antiprotest laws to protect Tasmanian jobs.

“Unfortunately, we have already seen that following the High Court disallowing some aspects of our laws last year, protesters have taken that as a green light to invade workplaces, including as recently as two weeks ago in a forestry coupe in the North-West,” he said.

Mr Barnett said a re-elected Liberal government would address the concerns of the High Court by changing specific sections of the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Act 2014 to ensure a less restrictive effect on the freedom of political communication.

In October last year the High Court struck down the legislation as unconstitutional — describing the laws as the toughest anti-protest laws in the country as overly broad, vague, confusing and exhibiting “Pythonesque absurdity”.

Dr Brown and Tasmanian nurse Jessica Hoyt brought a challenge to the laws — passed through Parliament in July 2014 and carrying fines of up to $250,000 and five years imprisonment — after being arrested at a protest in the Lapoinya forest in the NorthWest in 2016.

Dr Brown said reintroducing the legislation was a “cowardly plan” that would cost the Liberal Party votes.

“There are more than adequate laws already in place to prevent harm to business or damage to property,” he said.

“This is about locking up citizens who care enough about Tasmania’s wild and scenic beauty to go on-site and peacefully protest its destruction.”