Civil Liberties Australia today noted the inconsistencies with the Tasmanian Liberals election policy “Rebuilding the Forest Industry – Cracking down on illegal protestors”
“The Liberal party often assert they are the strongest defenders of free speech. But if you are to live up to that standard that means ensuring everyone in society can speak freely, not just those you agree with,” said Richard Griggs, Tasmanian Director of Civil Liberties Australia.
“Dramatically raising fines for protestors and introducing mandatory jail sentences is inconsistent with a liberal commitment to free speech.
“There are competing rights at play here. On the one hand workers have a right to access their place of employment but, on the other, the community has a right to free speech. Existing laws do a reasonable job of balancing these rights and this new policy would dramatically reduce free speech,” he said.
Richard Griggs, Tasmanian Director of Civil Liberties Australia.
