The SA government has swiftly passed an anti-protest bill imposing severe fines of up to $50,000 for people obstructing a public space. Image credit: Michael Coghlan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Members of the public, unions and charitable organisations have spoken out against a bill “rushed through” parliament which imposes a maximum fine of $50,000 for protesting in South Australia.
The proposed amendments were introduced to parliament on May 18, just one day after a member of environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion caused traffic delays as she suspended herself from Morphett St bridge in protest of a gas and oil conference.
Previously, the maximum fine for protesters obstructing a public place was $750 and did not carry a jail sentence.
The bill, which passed through the upper house on Wednesday following a 14-hour debate, increases the maximum penalty to a staggering $50,000 fine or three months imprisonment.
An amendment proposed by SA Best and supported by the Greens passed, striking reckless intent from the proposed changes, amid concerns that its inclusion could mean even people unintentionally obstructing a public place could be charged with the severe fines.
SA Best representative Connie Bonaros said she was “tremendously proud” of the crossbench’s efforts but was ultimately unhappy with the bill altogether.
“This bill in its entirety is still an indictment on our democratic processes,” she said.
“The penalties that the government and the opposition have proposed are still woefully, woefully an overreach.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, a member of the Australian Labor Party, was heavily supported by the Liberal opposition in his introduction of the legislation, which passed through the lower house in an incredulous 22 minutes.
“As the Premier of the state, it is important that I ensure the parliament responds swiftly, where there is an opportunity to do so, to action within our community that compromises the ability for hardworking people to earn a living and the ability for our emergency services to be able to function appropriately,” said Malinauskas.
“Which is why today in the parliament, we have swiftly introduced legislation that increases penalties for those who do not seek to comply with appropriate arrangements when it comes to protesting peacefully.
“The legislative change makes zero amendments to the ability for people to be able to protest peacefully in South Australia, to enjoy the right of freedom of association, to be able to demonstrate on whatever cause they so choose.”
Activists, unions and lawyers in South Australia have all spoken out in opposition of the laws, criticising the unclear rationale for the swift introduction of the law, the lack of public consultation, and the exorbitant penalties.
“I don’t care what it is you’re protesting about, it is no government’s right to take those rights away from you,” Connie Bonaros told NCA NewsWire.
“And if you can pass this Bill through in 22 minutes, imagine what else you can do in 22 minutes? That’s the chilling part of what the government has done.”
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