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Lawyers welcome rejection of anti-protest laws
25th Mar 2021
Today’s Tasmanian Legislative Council decision to oppose the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Act 2019 has been welcomed by the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
“We commend the Legislative Council for rejecting the government’s proposed laws which were dangerously broad and restrictive,” said Fabiano Cangelosi, Tasmanian barrister and spokesperson for the ALA.
“The Government’s actions in respect of the Bill can only be viewed as the most cynical form of wedge-politics, given that it delayed some 18 months in bringing the supposedly urgent Bill before the Council, only to do so during Legislative Council elections.
“The Government also failed to accept reasonable alternatives to the Bill, which would have added protections for businesses whilst striking a balance with the right to protest and express political views.
“The ALA thanks those eight members of the Council who voted against the Bill, thus ensuring political rights in Tasmania at a time when the right to protest is needed more than ever.
“A democracy relies on people getting involved, speaking up and engaging in robust debate. Today’s vote is a win for democracy and free speech.”
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