*Pic: Matt Newton, http://matthewnewton.com.au/Commercial/People/1/
The Liberal Government will this week introduce legislation, as promised prior to the election, to protect law-abiding Tasmanians from protesters invading their workplaces.
We committed to take a strong stand against protest activity that stops others from legally going about their work, and we are delivering on that pledge.
I want to be clear that the Government supports the right to peaceful protest, and this Bill will not change that. Neither will it impact upon protected industrial action under the auspices of the Fair Work Act.
The Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill is aimed fairly and squarely at those protesters who are not merely wishing to have their say, but who are trying to force their will on to others by stopping their work.
We saw too many of these protests tolerated under the previous Labor-Green Government; they not only cost businesses and individuals by halting production, but also put at risk the safety of themselves and others.
We say “enough is enough”; and at the election, the Tasmanian people overwhelmingly agreed with us.
The tough penalties provided for under the legislation will include:
• On the spot fine of $2000 for the offence of invading or hindering a business, with the fine rising to $5000 if an individual chooses to have the charge heard in court, and are found guilty.
• Automatic recording of a conviction if found guilty.
• Second and subsequent offenders will face a mandatory minimum three-month jail term, up to a maximum of two years jail.
• Individuals and organisations will also face heavy fines for inciting others to invade or hinder a business and for damaging a business premises.
This legislation will send the clear message that Tasmanians have a right to earn a living, whether that be in forestry, mining or any other industry, without having extremist protesters come on to their workplaces.
The Liberal Government is standing up for Tasmanian workers. I trust that Labor has learnt the lessons of their election defeat, and will join us in supporting this pro-worker legislation.
• Andrei Nikulinsky, in Comments: Why don’t you say what you really mean? “Our Government supports the right to protest until it is any way inconvenient or counter to our ideological goals or impinges upon the profits of our good friends the multi-nats.”
• Barbara Mitchell, in Comments: Why is the Minister for Resources announcing a piece of legislation related to workplace protests? Surely this is a industrial relations/police powers/criminal sanctions matter. Or is it just Paul Harriss falling over himself in his haste to put his stamp on ANYTHING that will penalise those daring to question the supreme rights of foresters and miners? Democracy has many enemies in the modern body politic, and Mr Harriss is front and centre of their ranks. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
• Terry James, in Comments: I can see a farmer, standing at his main gate and refusing entry to some feisty, fracking fukcers who would like, without his permission, to poison his family and his farm, and those of his neighbours. You might say that no reasonable ‘wig’ would send him down, but stranger things have happened in Tasmania. Can those at the back of the class see where this new law could go and those that it could affect? Unintended consequences, anyone? Brothers and sisters, I fear that democracy is about to receive another cut. If I am correct then protesting in Tasmania is about to become illegal, big time.
• Richard Griggs, Civil Liberties Australia: unwarranted overreach into free speech
• Kim Booth: Greens reject draconian and anti-democratic Liberal law agenda
• Nick McKim: Liberals’ Extremist Anti-Protest Bill Far Worse Than Feared The draconian anti-protest Bill tabled today ( Tuesday June 24 ) by Minister for Resources Paul Harriss is worse than previously thought, with provisions that would require, for example, the mandatory imprisonment of farmers locking their gates to prevent fracking on their own properties. “This is radical, extremist legislation designed to attack freedom of speech and intimidate people out of peacefully protesting,” said Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim MP. “The Bill prevents any act in any public place that promotes an opinion or a belief, if the act obstructs a vehicle even momentarily.” “The definition of ‘business premises’ in the Bill is so broad that it includes agricultural land and vehicles such as taxis.” “Protests such as those recently underway in other states where farmers are taking protest action to prevent fracking on their land will now result in mandatory gaol time for farmers if repeated in Tasmania.” “The Bill goes far beyond the Liberal’s previous position. In its ideologically driven desire to pander to the timber industry the government has lifted a leaf straight out of Joh Bjelke Peterson’s playbook.”
• Paul Harriss: Activists’ handbook evidence of need for strong action to protect workers
• Jenny Weber: Campaigner Slams Liberal Assault on Peaceful Protests
• PROTEST TODAY, June 26, 12.30pm: Against Libs’ new anti-protest laws
• Groundswell activists take stand against the Liberals’ anti-protest Bill
