Protest laws could be repealed or expanded following a march across an iconic national landmark, as activists plan for more demonstrations.
The pro-Palestine movement, boosted by a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge which made news across the nation and around the world, hopes to build on its momentum.
The march across the bridge and back in pouring rain came after opposition from police, and a court’s overruling approval that has politicians worrying about the rare occurrence becoming common.
Further protests are planned on August 24 in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth with hopes more can be organised in other cities.
Ahead of the state’s parliament resuming on Tuesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns says his government is examining whether a legal precedent has been set by the Supreme Court judgment that allowed the protest to proceed.
“No one should believe it’s open season on the bridge,” he told reporters on Monday.
But new laws might be needed to stop future bridge protests.
Mr Minns was “not ruling anything out” but said any legislation could not be rushed.
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley encouraged the premier to look at “what might happen next”.
“Because we can’t continue to have these protests that shut down such an important area of a major city,” she told reporters.
In her determination declining to prohibit the march, Justice Belinda Rigg said the bridge would have been closed to traffic regardless of whether the protest was authorised or not.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said demonstrations were an important part of democracy and highlighted the peaceful nature of the Sydney march.
“Australians want people to stop killing each other, they want peace and security … they don’t want conflict brought here,” he said.
Mr Minns has faced some internal dissent from other Labor MPs over protest legislation.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson has also flagged plans to seek the repeal of laws limiting protest, first introduced by the previous coalition government but expanded under Labor.
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees, defendant of the court action NSW Police took in an unsuccessful attempt to have the demonstration ruled unlawful, says nationwide protests are being planned for August 24.
“We want to build on this massive momentum we have now,” he told reporters.
Despite concerns of regular marches across the bridge, Mr Lees said the group has no plans for a repeat crossing any time soon and accused the premier of having an anti-protest agenda.
“His stance is pretty clear and he’s passed a raft of anti-protest legislation already,” Mr Lees said.
“We’re going to have to keep fighting for our rights to demonstrate.”
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