Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Alister Henskens
Shadow Attorney General
Paul Toole
Shadow Minister for Police
The NSW Opposition will again bring on its plan this week to give police and courts stronger powers to stop hate-fuelled rallies and constant weekend disruptions that are costing taxpayers millions and holding Sydney back.
On Saturday, more than 60 gutless cowards dressed in black with some hiding their faces gathered outside NSW Parliament, chanting Nazi slogans and calling to abolish Jewish organisations. It was not protest. It was hate. It was also the second time this same group has turned up at Parliament House.
Peaceful protest is part of a free society. But what happened on Saturday was not free speech. It was a show of hate and cowardice aimed at intimidating others. The police and courts must have the tools to stop it before it starts
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Meanwhile, every weekend this year, Sydney has been caught up in protests that block roads, disrupt transport, and disrupt families, workers and small businesses.
The Premier himself has admitted these protests are now costing taxpayers more than five million dollars a year in police overtime. That is money that should be going to hospitals, schools and households doing it tough, not to fund repeat protesters clogging our streets.
Earlier this year the Opposition introduced reforms that would have made protests fair, safe and accountable. The laws would have required courts to consider the cost, disruption, frequency, economic impact and whether less disruptive routes were available before approving protests.
They would have allowed three free protests a year, after which groups could be required to pay for the police resources they use. The reforms also would have banned non-religious face coverings used to hide criminal behaviour or avoid accountability.
Labor voted these reforms down. When given another chance to back them, the Premier refused again. By putting factional appeasement ahead of public safety, he has allowed extremists to hide behind masks and our city to be held hostage weekend after weekend.
These reforms are not about silencing protest. They are about restoring fairness and balance, protecting public safety and letting Sydney thrive as a global city. Families, workers and visitors should be able to enjoy it without fear, chaos or intimidation.
Given the NSW Government's playbook of saying it will do a review or inquiry that goes no where, the NSW Opposition will move again this week with its own bill to include –
Courts must consider real-world impacts before approving a protest, including:
The cost to taxpayers
The level of public disruption, including on organisations or religious groups in the vicinity of the assembly
The frequency of protests by the same group
The economic impact on local businesses and workers
Whether there are less disruptive routes or locations available
Public safety
Protesters would be given three free protests each year. After that, groups could be required to pay for the police resources they use, such as overtime and traffic control, subject to the implied constitutional freedom of communication on political matters.
Non-religious face coverings would be banned during protests if used to conceal identity or avoid accountability.
In addition, the NSW Opposition will restore, in a constitutionally valid manner, the move on powers given to Police that were struck down due to the drafting of the Minns Labor Government's Places of Worship bill.
The goal is to keep Sydney open, safe and fair, so locals, families, small businesses and tourists can enjoy the city without being caught up in protest chaos every weekend.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said what happened on Saturday was a disgrace.
"It was not protest, it was hate and these were cowards hiding behind masks, trying to frighten people and divide our state. The police need stronger powers to stop them before they strike again," Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said we gave Labor the chance to back stronger protest laws that protect public safety and respect people's right to go about their lives.
"They chose factional politics instead. The Premier talks tough but his laws are weak, and the results are there for everyone to see," Mr Henskens said.
Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said "the police are being stretched to breaking point while these extremists create havoc"
"These gutless wonders hide their faces and spew hate on our streets. The police need stronger laws, not excuses," Mr Toole said.
