Minns invokes special powers for NSW police to restrict protests during Israeli president’s visit | New South Wales
The NSW government has used special powers to warn protesters that police will not allow “conflicts on the streets of Sydney” ahead of the Israeli president’s visit with prime minister Chris Minns next week.
But 13 state and federal NSW MPs have called on police commissioner Mal Lanyon to work with protest organizers to facilitate a planned meeting and march from City Hall to state parliament.
Some MPs stated that they would join the protesters in the march. The group opposed the prime minister, accusing him of trying to portray peaceful protests as “inappropriate and illegitimate” by resorting to special forces.
Isaac Herzog will arrive in Sydney on Monday and spend five days in Australia. He is expected to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as Jewish leaders and the victims of the Bondi beach terror attack and their families.
On Saturday, Minns said the government declared the president’s visit would fall under the province’s “major event” legislation.
This allows police to take additional measures to manage the safety of crowds, maintain separation between different groups and “reduce the risk of conflict in busy areas of the city”, the government said in a statement.
He stated that these regulations “are not a ban on protests or marches.” [and] People reserve the right to express their views in accordance with the law.”
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NSW police will have additional powers, including directing people to move elsewhere if necessary, closing certain locations and issuing instructions to prevent disruption or risk to public safety.
Those who fail to comply with police instructions may face penalties, including fines of up to $5,500.
Protesters fear additional powers could be used to effectively ban protests in the CBD and eastern suburbs during Herzog’s visit.
“The Palestine Action Group is proposing a rally from City Hall to the streets of Sydney CBD,” NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Saturday. he said.
“This route is unauthorized.”
Rallies were held in all state capitals before Herzog’s five-day tour, with his first stop being Sydney.
Speaking to media on Saturday, Minns said NSW police would have a “major presence” on Monday afternoon and would ask people to avoid the CBD if possible.
“We hope people can remain calm and respectful during the presidential visit,” he said. “We can’t agree without resorting to conflict or violence on the streets of Sydney. In fact, that would be devastating for everyone, regardless of your cause.”
NSW police minister Yasmin Catley said Herzog would come to mourn with the Australian Jewish community.
“We believe this is the right thing to do for them and I would ask the people of NSW to join this community and respect their period of mourning.”
Greens MP Sue Higginson, one of 13 MPs who signed the open letter to Lanyon, said people protesting on Monday would be acting “consistent with our constitutional freedom”.
“Declaring a major incident and comments by the premier and some of NSW Police trying to portray the protest as inappropriate and illegitimate are misleading and dangerous and must be corrected,” he said.
“The police commissioner has the power to ensure that everyone attending the CBD on Monday is kept safe, this includes the general public as well as people who peacefully oppose the presence of a man inciting genocide.
“The best and safest thing the police can do is to facilitate public demands and ensure that protests gather and march. Police in NSW have a responsibility to ensure that legal rights are protected, and this includes the safe exercise of the right to protest.”
On Friday, NSW police said they were aware of plans to march to City Hall, which fell under the controversial anti-protest ban imposed in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
Under new laws introduced following the Bondi attack, marchers could be charged with certain offences, including obstructing pedestrians and traffic.
