… protesting against the proposed Anti-Protest Bill
Two Groundswell climbers were arrested today deploying a banner in Salamanca to send a message to the Legislative Council that we will not take the proposed Anti-Protest Bill lying down. The 2 protesters were removed by Search and Rescue climbers and taken to the Hobart Police Station.
“Today’s protesters are sending a clear message to the Legislative Council that these laws are unnecessary and unacceptable,” said spokesperson for the group, Dr Lisa Searle.
“There have been major concerns about this Bill from its controversial inception and the proposed amendments do not make this Bill acceptable. It is a deeply flawed piece of legislation and if passed, will change the face of peaceful protesting in Tasmania. The amendments proposed by Paul Harriss are a last-ditch effort to attempt to push this legislation through at any cost,” said Groundswell Tasmania spokesperson, Dr Lisa Searle.
Even with the proposed amendments, if the Bill is passed it will mean a fine of up to $10,000 for a first offence, and a mandatory minimum jail term of 3 months for repeat offenders.
“The right to peacefully protest is a fundamental part of any democracy and taking away this right has serious implications for our Constitution. There are already laws in place for people who break the law while protesting.”
The Bill will be discussed in Parliament tomorrow . Legislative Councillors will be briefed by legal advisors this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Debate will begin in the Upper House at 2:30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 29th October.
Dr Lisa Searle, Groundswell
