Key Takeaways
- The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, is seeking to grant his government "extraordinary powers" to ban protests for three months in response to the recent Bondi terror attack.
- The proposed laws would allow police to declare a "public assembly restriction declaration" (PARD) in a designated area, restricting public assemblies and giving police the ability to issue move-on directions.
- The premier claims that the "implications" of pro-Palestine rallies could be seen in the weekend’s Bondi terror attack, which killed 15 people.
- The proposed laws have drawn backlash from Jewish groups who support the pro-Palestine movement, as well as civil liberties groups who argue that the powers are too broad and will not stop antisemitism.
Introduction to the Proposal
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has announced plans to introduce new laws that would grant his government "extraordinary powers" to ban protests for three months. The proposal comes in response to the recent Bondi terror attack, which killed 15 people, and is aimed at preventing similar attacks in the future. Minns claims that the "implications" of pro-Palestine rallies could be seen in the weekend’s attack, and that the proposed laws are necessary to maintain community safety.
The Proposed Laws
The proposed laws would allow police to declare a "public assembly restriction declaration" (PARD) in a designated area, restricting public assemblies and giving police the ability to issue move-on directions. The PARD would be made for a designated area within 14 days of a terrorism designation, and would be in place for up to three months. The laws would also strip the judiciary of any oversight, allowing police to make decisions about which protests to allow or ban. Minns has stated that the laws are not directed at any one group, but has noted that he opposed a recent pro-Palestine protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was attended by several state Labor MPs.
Reaction to the Proposal
The proposed laws have drawn backlash from Jewish groups who support the pro-Palestine movement, as well as civil liberties groups. The president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Tim Roberts, has stated that the proposed changes are "extraordinary" and that the banning of protests will not stop antisemitism. The Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney have also criticized the proposal, stating that it is "outrageous" to use the pain of the Jewish community to shut down a movement opposing genocide. The Palestine Action Group has also spoken out against the proposal, arguing that the phrase "globalise the intifada" is not hate speech, but rather a call for Palestinians to shake off the occupation and apartheid policies imposed by the state of Israel.
The Context of the Proposal
The proposal comes after a recent surge in pro-Palestine protests in New South Wales, including a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August that was attended by several state Labor MPs. The premier’s deputy, Penny Sharpe, and other state Labor MPs were among the estimated 225,000 to 300,000 people who marched across the bridge to protest the killing in Gaza. The federal Labor MP Ed Husic, who was dumped from the Albanese cabinet in May, was also in the crowd. The protests have been criticized by some, including the federal government’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, who has stated that the protests have been glorifying extremist leaders and waving terrorist flags.
The Implications of the Proposal
The proposed laws have significant implications for the right to protest in New South Wales. If passed, the laws would give police the ability to ban protests for up to three months, without any oversight from the judiciary. This could have a chilling effect on free speech and the ability of citizens to express their opinions and protest against government policies. The laws could also be used to target specific groups or communities, such as the pro-Palestine movement, and could lead to further marginalization and exclusion. The proposal has also raised concerns about the definition of hate speech and the limits of free speech in Australia.
Conclusion
The proposal to grant the New South Wales government "extraordinary powers" to ban protests for three months is a significant development in the debate over free speech and protest in Australia. While the premier claims that the proposed laws are necessary to maintain community safety, critics argue that they are too broad and will not stop antisemitism. The proposal has drawn backlash from Jewish groups who support the pro-Palestine movement, as well as civil liberties groups, and has significant implications for the right to protest in New South Wales. As the debate over the proposal continues, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of such laws and the impact they could have on free speech and the ability of citizens to express their opinions and protest against government policies.
