Entire NSW Labor left calls for controversial anti-protest laws to be scrapped ahead of party conference
Summary
Fifty-six Labor branches in New South Wales (NSW) want to repeal or review controversial anti-protest laws at the upcoming party conference. The laws were passed in 2022 and include penalties such as jail time for blocking facilities and restrictions on protests near places of worship. The party debate is important to many members who feel their voices are not being heard.Key Facts
- 56 NSW Labor branches passed motions calling to repeal or review anti-protest laws.
- The laws impose penalties up to two years in jail for blocking major facilities.
- Another law restricts protests outside places of worship and was passed after an earlier law was ruled unconstitutional.
- Anti-protest laws were originally passed in 2022 by the then Coalition government and supported by Labor.
- Some Labor members say the right to protest is a key social justice issue and want debate at the party conference.
- The party’s conference agenda places the protest law debate near the end, causing concerns about limited discussion time.
- Premier Chris Minns is expected to announce plans to bring train manufacturing jobs back to the Hunter region.
- An independent report found “collective and systemic police escalation” during a recent protest, raising further questions about the laws.
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