Member

If enacted, this power would give the police the power to ban or curtail repeated protests, which are likely to be on the most important causes—those most worthy of protest and most protected by the courts. No protest movement has ever brought about change through a single demonstration. The civil rights, suffragette and anti-apartheid movements relied on repeated, cumulative demonstrations. This clause gives the police far too much discretion to curtail and prevent peaceful protests on the most important matters. Clause 140 is a bad idea, badly drafted and with many bad outcomes. It should not stand part of the Bill.