Submission Guide: Inquiry into NSW Anti-Protest Laws

Protect the Right to Protest

The right to protest is a fundamental human right and a key part of a well-functioning democracy.

NSW has a proud history of protest movements that have shaped our society. From the first Mardi Gras parade to the renowned Green Bans protecting green space and heritage across Sydney - much of what we love about living here has been hard-won through protest movements.

Disappointingly, the former Liberal government, with unanimous support from the Labor party introduced draconian anti-protest laws that sought to erode protest rights in NSW and introduce jail time for activists like the Knitting Nannas. These laws were found to be partially unconstitutional by the NSW Supreme Court and are currently undergoing review.

With protest rights under attack, it's more important now than ever before to have your say and join the movement to protect the right to protest. We have put together a quick and easy-to-use submission guide that allows you to have your say within minutes. Please feel free to customise the text to make your submission more personal.

We are calling for the government to:

Repeal Part 4AF of the Crimes Act as it fails to adequately uphold and safeguard the right to protest. This provision is an 'unnecessary' infringement on freedom of political communication
Repeal the amendments made to the Roads Act and the Roads Regulation 2008 including section 144G which introduced increased penalties including jail time for protestors who block a road, bridge, or tunnel.

Repealing these anti-protest laws is essential for protecting our democracy. Once these laws are repealed, we must work to enshrine the right to protest in legislation so it is protected now and for generations to come.

MAKE YOUR SUBMISSION TO REPEAL THE NSW ANTI-PROTEST LAWS

To whom it may concern, 
 Please accept my submission to the review of Part 4AF of the Crimes Act 1900 being undertaken by the Department of Communities and Justice, and to the review of the Roads Act 1993, Part 9, Division 7 being undertaken by Transport for NSW.  
 The right to protest is a fundamental human right, and a key part of a functioning democracy. NSW has a proud history of protest movements that have shaped our society. From the first Mardi Gras parade to the renowned Green Bans protecting green space and heritage across Sydney - much of what we value and love about living here has been hard-won through protest movements.  
 The anti-protest laws introduced by the former Liberal Government were an unacceptable attack on freedom of political communication and should be repealed in their entirety. This includes repealing Part 4AF of the Crimes Act, and amendments made to the Roads Act and the Roads Regulation 2008 including section 144G which introduced increased penalties including jail time for protestors who block a road, bridge, or tunnel.  
 The Human Rights Law Commission lodged a detailed submission which I support, outlining that the laws were not necessary to achieve their objective and further, that it was an unreasonable infringement on the freedom of political communication. Furthermore, jail time for protesting is a disproportionate outcome and not one that I support. No person should be punished by a term of imprisonment for engaging in an act of peaceful protest or non-violent civil disobedience. We must ensure a healthy and mature democracy that engages with, respects and facilitates political expression outside of the ballot box and where people are not criminalised and imprisoned for expressing themselves in peaceful and non-violent ways. 
 I urge the Department of Communities and Justice and Transport for NSW to support the repeal of these draconian anti-protest laws in their entirety. We must protect the freedom of political communication, including the right to protest.  
 Yours Sincerely,

Have Your Say

Protect the Right to Protest

MAKE YOUR SUBMISSION TO REPEAL THE NSW ANTI-PROTEST LAWS