Another state government attempt at installing harsher penalties for protestors interrupting work sites has been given approval by Tasmania’s upper house of parliament.
Members in the house however did temper some of the legislation through amendments, which will now go back to the lower house to sign off.
A previous effort by the government for stiffer rules were ruled unconstitutional by the High Court and the Bob Brown Foundation’s Scott Jordan sees that as a possible avenue again.
“The courts have made pretty strong statements in the past about the right to protest and the sanctity of that and this bill seeks to crush that, so we will be looking at options.”
State Development Minister Guy Barnett plans to sift through the amendments.
“We are going to take advice on the bill, we’ll review the amendments that have been made, we’ll consider the consequences of Labor opposing the bill.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor is staring down the government on what it means for conservationist protests.
“Our message to the government is you had better build bigger jails because these draconian laws will not stop people defending our forests.”
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