Growing legal bill for failed defence of controversial NSW protest laws runs to hundreds of thousands of dollars
Summary
The New South Wales (NSW) government has spent over $300,000 in legal fees trying to defend protest laws that courts declared unconstitutional. These laws, aimed at limiting protests, were challenged by activist groups and struck down because they violated free political speech. The police also spent tens of thousands of dollars opposing protest permits related to pro-Palestine demonstrations.Key Facts
- NSW government spent $117,455.50 on defending a protest law linked to restrictions after the Bondi terror attack.
- The court of appeal found the protest laws violated constitutional rights to political communication and canceled them in April.
- This is the second anti-protest law by the Minns government found unconstitutional in six months.
- Legal fees for defending an older law giving police extra protest powers near places of worship were about $96,400.
- NSW police spent over $91,600 on lawyers opposing a pro-Palestine protest permit on Sydney Harbour Bridge, losing the case.
- Police also spent almost $59,500 opposing a pro-Palestine march near the Sydney Opera House and won due to safety concerns.
- Total legal spending by NSW government and police related to cases against pro-Palestine groups exceeds $305,500.
- Activist groups argue the legal costs show government efforts to limit democratic rights.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
