The Premier has told 2GB's Ben Fordham today that he will not progress a proposed ban on the phrase "globalise the intifada" until a challenge to Queensland laws is resolved, while doubling down on his desire to ban the phrase. During the interview, the Premier conceded that other rushed and unconstitutional laws have put NSW in a worse off position than before.
Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said,
"Premier Minns' comments this morning are deeply concerning, and show that he is determined to keep threatening the community with more draconian anti-protest laws that eat at our civil liberties,"
"The Premier has consistently abused his position in reaching for new laws and heavier penalties in response to legitimate political expression and especially the pro Palestine protest movement, but he's now been humiliated and embarrassed by losing two nationally significant constitutional challenges over his anti-protest agenda,"
"It's very worrying that the Premier, with his track record of getting it wrong, can continue to advocate for laws that are likely to be deemed unconstitutional. There are very few constraints on state government power, the constitution is one of them. At least he seems to have recognised the risks and dangers to his own credibility and reputation through pursuing invalid laws, but he is still completely blind to the harm caused to the community and the danger to our democracy,"
"He needs to stop threatening political expression to please the Zionist lobby. Laws that try to ban the phrase 'Globalise the Intifada' will more than likely breach the constitution because that is serious overreach. We have hate speech laws that focus on what matters and that is intention and context in addition to what is actually said. I just wish the Premier would up skill on the law and save us all the harm, damage and costs,"
