Environmentalists in Australia argue Tasmanian anti-protest laws are unconstitutional and target "implied freedom of political communication", according to a report in The Guardian.
The Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Act 2014 carry a $10,000 fine for protesters who have been found to have disrupted business activities.
Environmentalists argue" the laws are part of a broader movement in Australia to stamp out environmental objections to corporate projects and threatened to undermine Australian democracy".
The report states: "Since the Hodgman government introduced the laws as an election promise in Tasmania in 2014, as part of that state’s long-running forestry wars, two other states tried to follow suit. New South Wales succeeded, introducing laws that imposed a tenfold increase in fines for people protesting against coal seam gas and mining developments.
"The former Western Australian government proposed similar laws but they were not enacted before the March election and have been thrown out by the McGowan government."
Peaceful protesting is the sign of a healthy democracy. Will you join me in demanding the Australian Government bans unconstitutional anti-protest laws? Please sign and share the petition.
