Protest bid sparks row
ACTIVISTS opposed to the state government’s anti-protest laws have called for them to be scrapped because they restrict fundamental democratic freedoms.
The government is seeking to increase the penalty for obstructing pedestrians or traffic to $1730, the penalty for trespass to up to $21,625 or 30 months imprisonment for the most serious offences.
The new laws — amendments to the Police Offences Act — will be debated in state parliament this week.
An earlier attempt to introduce tougher anti-protest provisions was struck down by the High Court.
The Australia Institute Tasmania director Eloise Carr said the penalties were disproportionate.
“Holding a placard is not the same as holding a gun. These laws would see everyday Tasmanians given the same legal publishment for peaceful protest as someone trespassing with a gun,” she said.
“This law is a threat to our democracy and our civil society. There are already laws which protect workers from interference.
“This law creates a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. The government claims it wants to protect workers from ‘extremist protests’. But where is the evidence that protesters are risking workers’ safety?”
Democracy Campaigner at the Australian Democracy Network Ray Yoshida said: “So many of the rights that we take for granted today were won through peaceful, nonviolent protest. Parliaments must take utmost care to avoid limiting freedom of speech and assembly. But this bill does not get the balance right. This bill does nothing to ensure workplace safety while doing everything to criminalise peaceful protest. We urge the Tasmanian parliament to reject it.”
TasCOSS CEO Adrienne Picone said her organisation supported the right to peaceful protest.
“We are concerned the proposed change to our legislation may disproportionately impact people experiencing disadvantage, such as those impacted by Tasmania’s current housing crisis who are sleeping rough,’’ she said.
“We are also concerned the amendments … discourage people from speaking out against injustice due to fear or confusion about changes in the law.”
Human Rights Centre senior lawyer Kieran Pender said the Bill was a crackdown on fundamental freedoms.
“The draft law is yet another attempt by the Tasmanian government to chill the right to protest, which is a vital part of democratic accountability,” he said.
Liberal Minister Guy Barnett has long championed the protest laws and said he was looking forward to the debate this week.
“And to once again be clear, we respect every Tasmanian’s right to free speech and the legislation will not put in place anything that will limit lawful protesting,” he said.
“What needs to be stopped is the disruption to legitimate business activity.”