Fury Over NSW Government’s Draconian Protest Crackdown: ‘Undemocratic’ Laws Spark Outrage as Activists Vow to Fight Back
- Protest groups slam proposed laws as a “kick in the face” to reconciliation efforts with First Nations people
- New legislation would ban public assemblies for up to 90 days after a terrorism incident, sparking fears of a “repressive” regime
- Activists, including Palestine Action Group and Jews Against the Occupation, vow to challenge the laws in court, branding them “unconstitutional” and based on “lies and misinformation”
Premier Chris Minns’ government is facing a fierce backlash over its proposed protest restrictions, with activist groups vowing to take the matter to court and branding the laws “undemocratic” and “repressive”.
The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, rushed through NSW Parliament in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, has been slammed as an attack on civil liberties and an attempt to stifle free speech.
Under the proposed laws, police would be able to declare a public assembly restriction within 14 days of a terror incident, effectively banning protests for up to three months.
“It’s absolutely appalling,” said Lizzie Jarrett, a representative of the First Nations-led Blak Caucus. “It would really be a kick in the face to this conversation that the government keeps having with us about reconciliation, closing the gap, and putting the realities of First Nations people on the table.”
Premier Minns has defended the laws, saying they are necessary to ensure public safety. But critics argue that they are based on a flawed premise, conflating the Bondi attack with pro-Palestine rallies and posing a threat to the broader protest movement.
“These laws will take away the rights of everyone in NSW to gather together as a community to express their views, to express their opposition to whatever government policies they oppose, to demand change all the things that we know have been so crucial to our democracy for so many years,” said Josh Lees from Palestine Action Group.
Michelle Berkman from Jews Against Occupation fears that the laws would endanger the Jewish community rather than keep them safe. “To impose these repressive laws, you are not only scapegoating the millions of Australians of anti-racist Australians protesting genocide, but using Jewish people as your human shields,” she said.
The legal challenge, to be officially lodged with the NSW Supreme Court by early January, is being supported by NSW Greens MLC Sue Higginson, as well as several other advocacy groups including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network.
Ms Higginson has vowed to vote against the bill, arguing that it should be split to separate the gun reform measures from the protest restrictions. “Should I fail at that, we will do our best to vote in accordance with our principles and with the best outcomes for the good governance of New South Wales,” she said.