QLD anti-protest laws pass despite glaring human rights concerns
Queensland Parliament today passed a law that criminalises peaceful protest tactics and infringes Queenslanders’ right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Alice Drury, Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, said the case for the laws had not been made.
“This law is fundamentally about stopping people from engaging in forms of peaceful protest. People have a right to come together to express their opinions on issues they care deeply about. This is a knee-jerk response and a band-aid solution by the Queensland Government.”
The Summary Offences and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019 criminalises the use of devices commonly used in peaceful protests, even when the devices are used in a manner that only causes minimal disruption to the public and business. The offence would attract a sentence of up to two years in prison.
“Activists, including suffragettes, have used lock-on devices peacefully for over a century in Australia. Disruptive protests may be frustrating for governments, but we must remember that because of them, we have the 8 hour work day and the right to vote for women. Instead of locking people up for blocking a footpath, the Queensland Government should recommit to facilitating peaceful protest for the health of democracy.”
The Palaszczuk Government has come under fire for failing to provide evidence to support their claims that protesters had been using devices in a way that could harm first responders.
“The Premier has rushed this law through without providing evidence that people are doing anything other than protesting. These protesters are responding to the threat of the climate crisis. So long as we have policy paralysis in dealing with the climate crisis, governments can expect people will continue to come together to voice their concern and demand action.”
The proposed law in Queensland coincides with the NSW’s Government’s broad Right to Farm Bill 2019, which targets protest activity on agricultural and forestry land, including public land.
“We are seeing a clear and worrying wave of laws from governments across Australia that restrict people’s ability to stand together and speak out on issues they care deeply about. Politicians may disagree with protesters' views on a particular issue, but shutting down peaceful assemblies only serves to weaken our democracy,” said Ms Drury.
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