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Anti-Protest Laws


takayna / tarkine, Tasmania

Greens Support Takayna Defenders Fronting Magistrates Court

The Greens fully support the takayna defenders facing the Hobart Magistrates Court today.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  30 Jan 2023


Protest, Climate Emergency

Human Rights Watch Condemn Tasmania’s Anti-protest Laws

International Human Rights Watch’s World Report for 2023* highlights how Tasmania’s recently passed laws “invoke severe penalties for non-violent protest”

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  13 Jan 2023


Protest, Climate Emergency

Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022 - Legislative Council Amendments

What we know is that this minister has egg all over his face after three unsuccessful attempts through previous bills which were found to be unconstitutional.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Upper House Votes to Undermine Democracy

The Liberal Government’s savagely undemocratic and unnecessary anti-protest legislation is all but certain to become law.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Aug 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Labor Needs to Return to Traditional Values and Vote Against Anti-Protest Bill in Upper House

We hope Tasmanian Labor realise their grave mistake in voting for the draconian Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Jun 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Resources – Anti-Protest Laws

Do you admit that the legislation is based on a lie, given that there have been zero serious safety incidents on workplaces as a result of protests?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Jun 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs – Protests on Work Sites

The premise of the police offences amendments is flawed, is false in fact, in the context of workers safety on worksites as a result of peaceful protests.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Archer Confirms Anti-Protest Laws Based on Lies

The Attorney General confirmed in this afternoon’s Workplace Safety Estimates hearings there have been zero injuries or reports to WorkSafe at logging protests.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Jun 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022

In 2014 the Liberal Government started its attack on the rights of citizens to represent their community and their views through peaceful protest.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 May 2022


Prison, Man Gripping Bars

Northern Prison and the Power of Protest

Corrections Minister Elise Archer has finally bowed to overwhelming community pressure and announced a new Northern Prison will not be located at Westbury.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  5 May 2022


Pile of Woodchips

New Premier, Same Redundant Legislative Agenda

We hoped the newly convened Parliament would help chart a greener and kinder future. Unfortunately, what we seem to have is the same tired old government.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 May 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022

Labor just want a carve out for the unions because the unions are there political and financial backers. They could not give less of a toss about other workers.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 May 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Importance of Peaceful Protest

All the great gains of the Tasmania we know and love have come from the passion of our people, uniting to make things better, protesting where we must.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 May 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Attack on Peaceful Protests

As a new Premier, passionate about the mental health of our young people, how can you justify this continued attack on their future with this antiquated agenda?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 May 2022


Logged Forest, Tarkine

Barnett’s Potentially Unlawful Portfolio Decisions in Spotlight

Resources Minister, Guy Barnett, often rants about protesters targeting lawful activities, but it seems like he’s the one with a problem following the law.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  31 Mar 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Gutwein Liberals Try Third Attempt at Anti-Protest Laws

When will the Liberals learn they can’t arrest their way out of a climate and biodiversity crisis?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Mar 2022


Protest, Climate Emergency

Workplace Protection from Protesters Negotiations

You said in the House that you were waiting to hear back from the Labor Party on the anti-protest law amendments.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Oct 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-protest Laws - Classification of Protesters

We have now had a chance to take a good look at the Government's proposed amendments to the nasty anti protest laws which were found to be unconstitutional.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Parks - Anti-Protest Bill

I have a follow-up question, about the Workplace Protection from Protestors Amendment Bill 2019, which is currently in draft form.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2021

The amendment Bill removes all reference to environmental protestors, but that’s exactly who it targets.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Submission  |  17 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Resources - Anti-Protest Legislation

Is it your Government's intention also to prohibit protest, lock people up, slap them with huge fines if they're defending public protected areas?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Gutwein Government Anti-Protest Laws Target Tens of Thousands of Tasmanians

The amendments to the unconstitutional Workplace (Protection From Protesters) Act 2014 remove the rights of tens of thousands of Tasmanians.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Premier - Protestors

The third attempt to make this legislation constitutional would exempt a protest, for example, outside the hospital.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Barnett Confirms Plan to Lock Up Tasmanians Protesting to Protect Wilderness

In Estimates today, Guy Barnett, confirmed the reworked anti-protest laws will capture all those protesting against developments in public protected areas.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Sep 2021


Wielangta, Tasmanian Forest Agreement Forest

Forestry Protests - Legislation

To demonise a group, that is one step down the road toward authoritarianism.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Mar 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Laws

We have here leaked correspondence which makes clear the startling overreach behind these laws, which were found unconstitutional by the High Court.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Mar 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Greens Welcome Defeat of Draconian Anti-Protest Laws

The right to peaceful protest remains protected in Tasmania, following defeat of the Liberals’ draconian, unconstitutional anti-protest amendment Bill.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Mar 2021


Halls Island on Lake Malbena, Walls of Jerusalem Nationa Park, Tasmania

Leaked DPIPWE Letter Confirms Anti-Protest Laws Designed to Crack Down on National Parks Protests

Leaked correspondence from February 2019 between then DPIPWE Secretary, John Whittington, to then Justice Secretary, Kathrine Morgan-Wicks makes clear the start

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Mar 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Right to Peaceful Protest

We know who the real radicals are and who the extremists are. They are people who want to trash forests and people who are driving the climate emergency.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Mar 2021


Womens March, 'A Woman's Place is In the Resistance' Sign

Right to Peaceful Protest

The March 4 Justice rally held at the beginning of this week was a powerful and historic moment.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Mar 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Premier – Anti-Protest Bill

The failed Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Act was basically regarded as unconstitutional by the High Court.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Nov 2020


Protest, Climate Emergency

Premier Confirms Anti-Protest Laws Pure Politics

Almost a year to since day the Liberals rammed their anti-protest laws through the Lower House, Premier Gutwein has confirmed the legislation was not urgent.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Nov 2020


Protest, Climate Emergency

WorkSafe Tasmania Referral of Bob Brown Foundation

You and Mr Barnett issued a joint media statement on the morning of 21 February that stated that you had referred the Bob Brown Foundation to WorkSafe.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 Mar 2020


Law Books

WorkSafe Tasmania Prohibition Notice on Bob Brown Foundation

Did the Attorney-General or Mr Barnett give you the heads up about the prohibition notice that WorkSafe Tasmania tried to slap on the Bob Brown Foundation?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  3 Mar 2020


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Greens Refer Barnett, Archer and WorkSafe CEO to Integrity Commission

The Tasmanian Greens have today written to the Integrity Commissioner asking him to investigate allegations of the serious misconduct.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  27 Feb 2020


Corruption, Handing over Envelope

Integrity Commission referral of Archer, Barnett and Cocker

Referral of Attorney-General Archer, Minister Barnett, and WorkSafe Chief Executive Mark Cocker to the Integrity Commission for investigation of misconduct.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Submission  |  27 Feb 2020


Logged Forest, Tarkine

Lapoinya Logging Plans

The Gutwein Government are heading back to log Myalla Spur at Lapoinya.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Feb 2020


Parliament House, Tasmania

Priorities of Government

Rosalie Woodruff speaks during the Adjournment on the Government's prioritisation of political legislation over meaningful policies.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Legislation

Cassy O'Connor rises on the adjournment to criticise the Government's anti-protest legislation.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Liberals, Ogilvie Vote to Gag Democracy

If it wasn’t chilling enough for the Liberals to erode democratic rights with anti-protest laws, today they gagged debate on the legislation itself.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019

As a child, I remember some part of me just knew that that was a possibility. If all else failed, I could go to the streets to make my voice known.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2019


Law Books

Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019

Whatever we call it, this is a dog of a bill that is designed to take away the freedoms that Tasmanians have enjoyed to peacefully protest.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Legislation

Cassy O'Connor questions the premier over the Government's aggressive approach to protesters.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Greens Call on TCCI to Withdraw Support for Draconian Anti-Protest Laws

The Greens have today written to the TCCI asking them to withdraw their support for the Workplace (Protection from Protestors) Amendment Bill. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Right to Protest

Rosalie Woodruff speaks during the Adjournment on the anti-protest laws tabled by the Government.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Laws

Cassy O'Connor questions the premier over their second attempt at anti-protest legislation following the High Court's invalidation of the original laws.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Hodgman Liberals Marching Tasmania Towards a Police State

The Liberals are determined to stifle the right to peaceful protest in Tasmania.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Nov 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Hundreds of Thousands Wasted on Liberals' Draconian Protest Laws

The enormity of legal costs of the corporate driven and politically motivated laws has been revealed at $355,000. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Jan 2019


Protest, Climate Emergency

Right to Peaceful Protest Law - High Court Decision

The entire country now knows a bad law brought in by the Government has led to a landmark High Court decision affirming the right to peaceful protest.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Oct 2017


Protest, Climate Emergency

Workplace (Protection from Protestors) Act - High Court Challenge

In a massive slap in the face to the Government, the High Court has just ruled in favour Bob Brown's challenge to the Government's draconian anti-protest laws.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Oct 2017


Protest, Climate Emergency

Liberal Anti-Protest Laws Condemned by High Court

The Liberals' draconian, undemocratic anti-protest laws have been found to be in breach of the Australian Constitution by the High Court.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  18 Oct 2017


Protest, Climate Emergency

Greens' Leader Stands By Lyons Candidate

The Green movement has a proud history of standing in defiance of unjust laws which are against the public interest.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 May 2017


Protest, Climate Emergency

Liberal Fail on Dud Anti-Protester Laws

If Tasmanians needed any more proof that the draconian anti-protest laws are unworkable they have it today with charges against every Lapoinya arrestee dropped.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  3 Jun 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Collision Course for High Court

Tasmania’s draconian Anti Protest Law is heading for a High Court challenge after the Government voted against a Greens bill to repeal the legislation.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 May 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Hodgman Running Scared from High Court on Anti-Protest Laws

The Government has promised that the laws would not apply to mum and dad protestors, but at Lapoinya not only mums were charged but grandads as well.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 May 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Time to Scrap Liberals' Protest Laws

The decision by Tasmania Police to drop charges against Bob Brown is further evidence we'd be far better off without the Liberals' protester laws.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  18 May 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Time to Repeal the Anti-Protest Laws

With 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.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Mar 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Laws to be Challenged in High Court

Tasmania's undemocratic anti-protest laws will be tested in the High Court and we applaud those who are prepared to challenge this extreme legislation.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Mar 2016


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Bill Passed-But Unworkable

People who care about a healthy democracy will be mourning the passage of the government's extreme anti-protest legislation.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  25 Nov 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti-Protest Bill Gagged - Again

The government's gag on the anti-protest legislation means that fifty amendments will have less than 5 minutes each to be scrutinised.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  25 Nov 2014


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Bill is Unworkable Mess

The anti-protest Bill which passed through the Legislative Council this afternoon is an unworkable mess presided over by an incompetent Forests Minister.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  18 Nov 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Legal Experts Further Critique Anti-Protest Bill

Not even Australia's harsh anti-terrorism laws include mandatory imprisonment provisions such as those in the Hodgman government’s anti-protest legislation.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  29 Oct 2014


Protest, Climate Emergency

Upper House Urged to Reject Proposed Amendments to Anti-Protester Legislation

The Legislative Council should reject the Hodgman government's proposed amended anti-protest legislation.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  23 Oct 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti-Protest Bill Beyond Fixing

The proposed amendments to the Hodgman government’s controversial anti-protest laws do nothing to address the major concerns.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  22 Oct 2014


Protest, Climate Emergency

Anti-Protest Bill

The Hodgman government must scrap its fundamentally flawed Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill 2014.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  24 Sep 2014


Protest, Climate Emergency

Arrogant Harriss Must Withdraw Anti-Protest Bill

Minister Harriss must withdraw his Workplaces (Protection from Protestors) Bill 2014 in light of the UN Human Rights Commission’s damning critique.

Kim Booth  |  Media Release  |  10 Sep 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti Protest Laws Questions Continue

The government is refusing to confirm or deny whether advice was sought on the constitutionality of the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill 2014.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  21 Aug 2014


Law Books

Legal Advice Concerns Grow

The Liberal government is refusing to listen to constitutional and legal experts.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  19 Aug 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti Protest Legal Advice

The government’s anti-protest laws carry “...a high risk of capturing individuals who would not in any sense be characterised as extremist”.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  18 Aug 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti-Protest Laws Unconstitutional?

After using constitutional uncertainty to justify voting against marriage equality, Premier Will Hodgman must now reconsider his draconian anti-protest laws.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  15 Jul 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti-Protestor Laws 'Unconstitutional'

Professor George Williams has described the Tasmanian Liberals’ anti-protest legislation as “...on quite shaky constitutional ground”.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  14 Jul 2014


Protest, Climate Emergency

Liberals' Anti-Protester Push

The draconian anti-protest Bill tabled today by Minister for Resources Paul Harriss is worse than previously thought.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  24 Jun 2014


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Anti-Protest Laws Rejected

The Hodgman Liberal government is quickly developing a reputation for being draconian, divisive and anti-democratic.

Kim Booth  |  Media Release  |  23 Jun 2014