Anti-protest laws

The petition of the undersigned residents of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019. Your petitioners are concerned the Bill is: (1) Undemocratic and illiberal in the way it shields business from public criticism and elevates ecnomic interests of organisations over the civil liberties of individuals. (2) Unjust in setting harsh criminal and financial penalties for those who peacefully assemble on public land to protest. (3) Dangerous in the silencing effect it will have on Tasmanians who decide against participating in public meetings and rallies for fear of breaking the new law. (4) Technically flawed in that none of the concerns and drafting problems identified by independent legal academics or community groups during public consultation have been addressed in the Bill or its supporting information. Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to vote against the Bill.