Tasmanian Government should abandon excessive and unnecessary anti-protest law
A coalition of human rights, social justice and environment organisations are calling on the Tasmanian Government to abandon its latest attempt to restrict protest rights.
In submissions to the Department of Justice on the new Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2021, the group warns that the proposed new law is unnecessary and excessive and, if passed, would have a chilling effect on people’s right to come together and speak out about the issues they care about.
The proposed law threatens people with severe prison sentences for a range of protest-related actions already covered by existing laws.
This is the Tasmanian Government’s third attempt to legislate restrictions on its citizens’ right to peaceful advocacy after previous attempts were struck down by the High Court and rejected by the Tasmanian Parliament.
Yusur Al-Azzawi, Senior Lawyer, Human Rights Law Centre:
“Whether it’s women’s rights, racial justice, the environment or gambling harm, our ability to come together and speak out on the things we care about is fundamental to our democracy. The Tasmanian Government must stop these repeated attempts to silence advocacy once and for all.”
Adrienne Picone, CEO, TasCOSS:
“TasCOSS does not support these laws. They are unnecessary and, if passed, will make it harder for ordinary Tasmanians to have their voices heard. They would also mean tougher punishments for peaceful protest than for much more serious crimes.”
Jane Hutchison, President, Community Legal Centres Tasmania:
“If passed, this bill will have a chilling effect on the community's right to protest. We already have trespass laws in place that appropriately deal with unlawful entry onto workplaces and do not believe that we need duplication.”
Richard Griggs, Tasmanian Director, Civil Liberties Australia:
“We are concerned that the bill, if passed, would increase penalties for peaceful protests conducted on publicly owned land while also creating uncertainty as to the scope and reach of the law. The combined effect of increased penalties and uncertain laws is a poor outcome for freedom of expression and participatory democracy because it risks frightening people into silence.”
Jenny Weber, Campaign Manager, Bob Brown Foundation:
“The bill segregates which sectors of the community can peacefully protest and escape these harsh penalties and which can’t and is clearly discriminating against environmentalists. These laws will not work, will make policing of protests more confusing for Tasmania Police and should again be rejected by our House of Review.”
Read the Human Rights Law Centre’s submission here.
Media contact:
Evan Schuurman, Human Rights Law Centre: evan.schuurman@hrlc.org.au, 0406 117 937
Adam Burling, Bob Brown Foundation, adam@bobbrown.org.au, 0499 176 082
