Victoria Passes Controversial New Anti-Protest Laws
Friday 14 March 2014 @ 9.19 a.m. | Crime
A new Victorian law allowing police to disperse protesters who are suspected to turn violent has been passed despite heavy opposition. The law will give Victorian police unprecedented powers to suppress protests.
Under the Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Bill 2013, which has just passed both houses in Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent, Victorian police officers can order protesters to disperse if they are blocking the entrance to a building, obstructing people or traffic, or most controversially, if police expect protestors to turn violent. The penalty set to accompany the violation of orders range from a $720 fine to imprisonment. Furthermore, the new laws also allow police officers to obtain exclusion orders banning protesters from certain public places for 12 months at a time.
The new laws were designed to prevent anti-abortionist protesters from regularly blockading fertility clinics and intimidating those seeking fertility treatments. However, the general scope of the law has instilled in others a fear of its abuse. It could be argued that the law goes too far and allows the government, and the police, far too much power. The possible application of the law in labour disputes is a cause for concern.
Sue Pennicuik of the Australian Green Party criticised the bill as an assault on the democratic rights of Victorians to protest about issues of concern for them.
These proposed amendments to the Summary Offences Act 1966 (VIC) also come just weeks after the Federal Coalition Government tabled bills to reintroduce the Australian Building and Construction Commission (the ABCC) and has armed the ABCC with additional powers to prevent unlawful pickets.
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