Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
Tasmania's draconian, undemocratic anti-protest laws will be tested in the High Court and we applaud those who are prepared to challenge this extreme legislation.
Good on Bob Brown and the Mum and Dad and Grand Dad protestors, as well as their legal team for standing up for the democratic right to peaceful protest and taking on the Hodgman Liberals.
The Liberals' anti-democratic protestor laws are an antiquated legacy of disgraced former Minister Harriss. They should've gone when he did.
These laws were only driven by the Liberals' anti-environment ideology and determination to scapegoat any Tasmanian who is prepared to stand up for their environment and their rights.
What we've seen at Lapoinya is retired professionals and mum and dad protestors who have been the victims of this purely political legislation.
The fact that a high powered legal team is prepared to stand with the Lapoinya arrestees to test these laws in the High Court is an indictment on the Hodgman government.
If the legislation was based on sound principles it would in all likelihood not be being tested before the highest court in the land less than 18 months after passing through the Parliament.
We commend Dr Brown for challenging this extreme law in the High Court, where we believe it will be found wanting under the Constitution.
The Tasmanian Greens will table our Bill to repeal the anti-protest law in Parliament next week.