Today, the NSW Police Commissioner has made a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (a declaration) under the new laws which passed Parliament today in response to last week's Bondi terror attack.
Under the new laws, the NSW Police Force Commissioner is granted power to temporarily declare public areas "restricted" from assemblies following a declared terrorist incident. Today's restriction follows the declaration made by Commissioner Lanyon that the Bondi attack on Sunday 14 December was a terror-related incident.
The declaration made by the Commissioner today restricts public assemblies in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas for 14 days.
During this time, no public assemblies can be authorised under the Summary Offences Act 1988 and Form 1 applications for the authorisation of public assemblies will not be accepted. Any public assembly will thereby be taken to be unauthorised, and participants will not have the protection of the Summary Offences Act with respect to obstructing traffic and pedestrians and may commit offences if they do. If a public assembly had been authorised prior to the declaration, the authorisation will be taken to be revoked.
The declaration was made this afternoon with the Police Executive Panel after considering the new legislation and public safety impacts of further protests in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.
The declaration will be reviewed and can be extended fortnightly for up to three months.
Gatherings are permitted but police may issue move on directions for people causing obstructions or behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person.
Police will also have authority to require removal of any face coverings worn by people suspected of committing offences for identification purposes.
Commissioner Lanyon says this declaration is designed to give police the powers to ensure community safety.
"The tragic events at Bondi Beach have left a profound impact on our community and reaffirmed the urgent need for stronger safeguards to reduce fear and increase safety," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"The NSW Police is committed to exercising these new powers responsibly and transparently. This is a time for community to come together and to show respect and courtesy – it's not a time for large public assemblies and division. The community deserves to be safe and feel safe.
"In the immediate aftermath of the attack at Bondi last week, further protest activity would aggravate fear and divisiveness in the community at a time when we need to build safety and confidence."
"We will continue working closely with the Government and community leaders to ensure these laws are implemented in a way that strengthens safety and cohesion across our state."
