Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Liberal Government believes Tasmanians should be able to go to work and run their businesses in a safe manner free from threats and disruption.
Tasmanians have had enough of radical extremists invading workplaces and threatening and endangering staff.
The Workplaces (Protection of Business and Workers) Amendment Bill 2021 has now been released for public consultation until 23 September 2021.
This Bill takes into account legislation that has passed Federally, and in other states, with bi-partisan support to protect the rights of workers.
The new Bill amends police powers to direct a person to leave an area, reduces maximum penalties, provides that offences are only to be heard in a court of summary jurisdiction, reduces the scope of compensation provisions and inserts new exceptions and defences.
In addition, the Bill has been designed so that it does not infringe on people's right to freedom of political communication.
Unfortunately Tasmania's Labor Opposition would rather stand side-by-side with the Greens and the Bob Brown Foundation rather than support workers.
This Bill won't stop legal protests outside hospitals, schools or climate change protests in streets or on footpaths. This Bill is simply about protecting Tasmanian businesses, workers and families from illegal threats, disruption and ongoing disruption from extremist protesters.
This Bill is needed because workers and employers are fed-up with extremist protesters invading Tasmanian workplace, disrupting legally operating businesses and causing serious safety issues.
It's time for Rebecca White and Labor to support hard working Tasmanians and support this Bill and send a clear message that workplace invasions and disruptions have no place in this State.
A copy of the draft Bill and Fact Sheet can be found at: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation
