NSW protest laws brought in after Bondi Beach attack deemed ‘unconstitutional’ by top court
Controversial laws to restrict protests in New South Wales following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack have been struck down by the state’s top court.
The Court of Appeal accepted arguments by protest groups that the expanded police powers were unconstitutional, in a judgment handed down on Thursday afternoon.
The laws passed on Christmas Eve during an emergency sitting of parliament were used to purportedly prevent authorised public assemblies in parts of Sydney for almost two months.
Chief Justice Andrew Bell ruled the laws “impermissibly burdened” the implied right to freedom of political communication under Australia’s constitution. […]
Within hours of the provisions entering the statute books on Christmas Eve, the police commissioner made a declaration restricting protests throughout Greater Sydney.
The declaration, which lasted for 14 days at a time, was extended on four occasions and did not lapse until February 17.
The subject area, however, was reduced in January to the eastern suburbs and CBD, with a carve out for Hyde Park to allow for protests on Australia Day.
The restrictions remained in place for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit in February, which drew large protests. […]
The State of New South Wales argued the laws had effect only in “tightly confined circumstances” and had the “legitimate purpose” of “protecting the community and enhanc[ing] social cohesion” in response to the Bondi attack.
Yeah, as objectively awful as the Bondi event was, it still wasn’t enough justification for this other bullshit. A gross exploitation of those people’s deaths. This comes well-timed, too, given the post I made the other about those judges who went against Trump being fired for doing so; I’ll bet Minns is wishing he could get away with that now…
