South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has made a strong public statement to those individuals who may be planning to protest during the Tour Down Under events. They are reminded of their obligations under the South Australian Public Assemblies Act 1972 - which outlines their responsibilities in conducting lawful protests.
If protest activity causing disruption does not conform with the requirements of the Public Assemblies Act 1972, then SAPOL may consider civil or criminal action against those individuals who purposely obstruct a public place. Of significant importance, is that compensation may be sought from those individuals involved for the cost of resources used in responding to the actions of these people.
'I remind any person participating in these protests of their obligations under the Public Assemblies Act 1972. Those who do not comply with the provisions of the Act could incur civil or criminal liability due to the obstruction of a public place, resulting in compensation being sought from those involved. Compensation would be for the resources used in response to respond to an incident', Commissioner Stevens said.
'The safety of all people in our community is paramount and is one of the core duties of police and other emergency services. For such resources to be unnecessarily committed to random acts of obstruction to public places deflects emergency service resources away from critical calls for public assistance from those in our community who might be at serious risk of harm.'
