Australia news live: NSW lower house passes anti-protest laws; Greens and pro-Palestine groups plan constitutional challenge | Australia news
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Hundreds of people demonstrated in support of Palestine in Sydney last night, chanting a phrase the prime minister is trying to ban on the eve of a new law preventing protests.
Following the speech of Sara Saleh, a human rights lawyer of Palestinian origin, who condemned the Bondi terrorist attack but also condemned the deaths of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli army in Gaza, slogans of “globalize the intifada” were chanted.
“That’s why I intend to continue saying ‘Globalize the intifada, liberate Palestine,'” Saleh said.
Our reporter Luca Ittimani He was there and sent this report:
Greens lead constitutional challenge to anti-protest laws
Greens NSW upper house member Sue Higginson will join pro-Palestinian groups this morning to launch a constitutional challenge to the Minns Labor government’s latest anti-protest laws.
Higginson will hold a press conference at 9.15am this morning to announce the challenge, following the passage of the comprehensive terrorism and other legislation amendment bill by the lower house last night with the support of the Liberals.
He claims the new laws “impermissibly burden the constitutional freedom of political communication.”
He will be joined by other campaigners and activists opposing the laws: Michelle Berkon related to Jews Against Occupation; Elizabeth Jarrett related to Blak Group; Nick Hanna From Hanna Legal; Nasser Meshni chair of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network; Josh Lees Palestine Action Group from Sydney; NSW Timothy Roberts Civil Liberties Council; Sheikh Wesam Charkawi; Shovan Bhattarai Student Group for Palestine; Pete Moss of Labor Friends of Palestine; Zack Schofield Of the Rising Tide; April Holcombe Community Action for Rainbow Rights; NSW Socialists; And Women’s Coalition for Justice and Peace
Anne Davies also presented this analysis of legislative changes planned for NSW.
While a tragedy like Bondi requires action, “the unpredictable political tide of public opinion that follows a disaster can either destroy you or send you soaring,” he writes.
The drafting of laws that significantly restrict rights, such as the right to express your opinion on political issues through peaceful protest or, as some argue, the ‘right’ to own guns, must be approached with caution and judicial clarity.
NSW lower house passes gun reform, anti-protest bill
Anne Davies
The emergency parliamentary session of the NSW parliament following the Bondi attacks will continue today with the omnibus bill that will change gun laws and restrict protests, which is expected to be moved to the upper house.
The lower house passed the bill last night after about 10 hours of debate. The Liberals voted alongside Labour, while the National Party opposed the bill.
Labor does not have the numbers to pass the legislation in the upper house but will still rely on the Liberals to support the bill.
The crossover group, the National Party and the Greens are expected to table hundreds of amendments and could use the debate on the amendments to force a marathon session on Tuesday night.
The usual rule preventing Parliament from sitting for very long hours will be abolished.
The Nationals, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party and other independents are strongly opposed to Labor’s plan to limit the number of guns individuals can own to four, and farmers and professional shooters to limit them to 10.
Shooters plans to make about 120 changes to these and other aspects of the proposed gun laws.
The Greens plan to make many changes to the protest bans, which they claim are unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Government sources said the government was prepared to convene parliament on Christmas Day if necessary, but they were hopeful the bill would pass on Tuesday night.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I Martin Farrer with breaking stories of the day and then Stephanie Convery will take the reins.
The emergency session of the NSW parliament following the Bondi massacre will continue today with the omnibus bill changing gun laws and restricting protests, which is expected to be moved to the upper house. More details are coming.
The NSW Greens, pro-Palestinian and civil liberties groups will launch a constitutional challenge to the anti-protest laws at 9.15am this morning. We will have more information about this soon.
Shareholders of Seven West Media have overwhelmingly backed a deal to merge with Triple M owner Southern Cross Austereo to create an Australian media giant spanning television, radio, print and digital. We will have more very soon.
