Key Takeaways:
- The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, is planning to introduce tough new laws to restrict regular protests in Sydney’s CBD and major sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
- The proposed changes aim to balance the right to protest with the right of others to enjoy the city without disruption.
- Minns has indicated that he wants to ban certain slogans, including "globalise the intifada", which he believes is a call to violence against Jews.
- A state parliamentary inquiry has been asked to review hate speech, including the use of the phrase "globalise the intifada".
- The NSW government is also considering allowing the Jewish community’s security organisation to carry weapons outside premises owned by Jewish organisations.
Introduction to Proposed Protest Laws
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has announced plans to introduce tough new laws to restrict regular protests in Sydney’s CBD and major sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This move comes after a series of protests in the city, which have caused disruptions and concerns about public safety. Currently, protest organisers in NSW are required to complete a form one, notifying police of a planned protest, which provides protection from prosecution for offences such as obstructing pedestrians and traffic. However, Minns believes that this system needs to be revised to balance the right to protest with the right of others to enjoy the city without disruption.
Background to the Proposed Changes
The proposed changes to the protest laws in NSW follow a series of events, including a terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14. In response to this attack, the NSW government introduced new laws allowing police to ban protests for rolling 14-day periods after a terrorist event declaration had been made. Minns has stated that these changes were necessary to ensure social cohesion, but has also indicated that further changes are needed. He has suggested that the centre of Sydney cannot be dominated by the same protests every weekend, and that other Australians have a right to enjoy the city without disruption.
Minns’ Vision for Protest Laws
Minns has expressed his vision for the new protest laws, stating that he wants to find a balance between the right to protest and the right of others to enjoy the city. He believes that people have a right to protest, but that this right must be exercised in a way that does not disrupt the lives of others. He has also stated that he wants to ban certain slogans, including "globalise the intifada", which he believes is a call to violence against Jews. This phrase, which is used by pro-Palestine supporters, has been the subject of controversy, with some members of the Jewish community claiming that it is a call to violence.
Review of Hate Speech
A state parliamentary inquiry has been asked to review hate speech, including the use of the phrase "globalise the intifada". Minns has stated that he will consider the report of the inquiry and may introduce further changes to the protest laws. He has also noted that Australia does not have freedom of speech laws like the US, and that this means that the government has more flexibility to introduce measures to restrict hate speech. However, a legal challenge has been launched against NSW’s laws restricting protests, which may impact the government’s ability to introduce further changes.
Security Measures for the Jewish Community
The NSW government is also considering allowing the Jewish community’s security organisation, the Community Security Group, to carry weapons outside premises owned by Jewish organisations. This move is seen as a response to concerns about the safety of the Jewish community, particularly in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Minns has stated that he is committed to ensuring the safety of all communities in NSW, and that he will consider all options to achieve this goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proposed changes to the protest laws in NSW are a response to concerns about the disruption caused by regular protests in the city. Minns has stated that he wants to find a balance between the right to protest and the right of others to enjoy the city, and has proposed banning certain slogans and introducing stricter approval processes for protests. The NSW government is also considering allowing the Jewish community’s security organisation to carry weapons outside premises owned by Jewish organisations, in response to concerns about the safety of the Jewish community. Overall, the proposed changes aim to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected, while also maintaining public safety and social cohesion.
