Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
With the resignation of Minister Harriss and a High Court challenge under way, now is the right to time for the Government to admit its mistake and to repeal their anti-protest laws.
The Greens tabled the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Repeal Bill in Parliament today to revoke these extreme laws.
Our State would be far better off without the divisive legacy of former Minister Harriss. We have traditional laws, like trespass, that provide police with adequate powers that don't include extreme punishments.
These draconian laws are have already seen Tasmanians facing $10,000 fines and four year gaol terms. It is a terrible look for democracy in this State when we have mums and dads, and even grandparents, dragged through the courts for attending a peaceful protest on public land.
Despite assurances during Parliamentary debate in 2014 that these laws would not be used against mum and dad protesters, that's exactly what happened earlier this year at Lapoinya.
The High Court challenge argues that the laws are invalid because they impermissibly burden the implied freedom of communication on government and political matters contrary to the Australian Constitution.
Hundreds of Tasmanians have already signed a petition to repeal these laws, and plenty more will, by the time the Greens bring on our Bill for debate.
