The Coalition State Government has been forced into a humiliating backdown after losing support to criminalise joint trade union election campaigns, Unions NSW said today.
The peak body launched a High Court challenge against the Coalition State Government in June, challenging it on laws that prevented them from campaigning together during elections.
The laws restricted third-party campaigners who wanted to communicate with each other, known legally as 'acting in concert'.
But in the Upper House on Tuesday night, Labor and the crossbench voted to remove the 'acting in concert' provision, prompting the Government to this morning withdraw the laws in the lower house.
It's the third time Unions NSW and its affiliates have frustrated Liberal Party attempts to criminalise their right to campaign together. The unions won a court challenge against a Coalition State Government law in 2018 which reduced the amount third-party campaigners should spend during State elections. They had a similar win in 2013.
Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, said the Parliamentary back down highlighted the unreasonable and unfair limits imposed.
"These laws attempted to silence the voices of trade unions and other community groups who have a right to campaign for a better future," Mr Morey said.
"Elections are a time where we can push for and create meaningful change through robust campaigning. Working people have always pooled their resources to amplify their voice. We don't have the luxury of passing the hat around at a cocktail soiree in Double Bay.
"Rather than trying to throw their opponents in gaol, the Liberals should instead focus on crafting policy that is in the public interest. If they really want to stop protest, they should give us less to protest about."
Mark Morey 0425 231 812
