Palaszczuk Government slammed by Council of Unions for move to fast-track protester laws

Queensland’s peak union body has slammed the Palaszczuk Government’s fast-tracking of its controversial protester laws, claiming the laws impinged on people’s right to peacefully protest.

QUEENSLAND’S peak union body has slammed the Palaszczuk Government’s fast-tracking of its controversial protester laws, claiming the laws impinged on people’s right to peacefully protest.

An emergency meeting was held at the Queensland Council of Union’s headquarters in Brisbane this morning which Police Minister Mark Ryan attended.

Activists who use locking devices could be jailed under the tough new laws. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

It’s understood a number of blue collar unions were also in attendance.

Acting general secretary Michael Clifford told The Courier-Mail the body believed the laws would antagonise and not discourage protesters who have been plaguing Brisbane’s CBD for months.

“Protesters are going to find other ways to protest and in our experience the best way to deal with the protests is to demonstrate that you are serious about addressing the root cause of the problem and engaging in a dialogue,” he said.

“Simply dealing with the symptoms is not going to make the issues go away.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is under fire for her Government’s decision to fast-track controversial protester laws. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Clifford said laws shouldn’t be rushed through.

The body has taken particular issue with the strengthened search powers which police will be granted if the Bill is passed, and the “broad” definition of a dangerous device.

Mr Clifford said there were legitimate health and safety concerns when dangerous devices were used on rail lines which needed to be addressed however he said they also shouldn’t be rushed.

Unions fear the laws will impinge on people’s right to peacefull protest. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Greens MP Michael Berkman took aim at the laws on Twitter today, referring to the fast tracking as “shoddy, inadequate scrutiny”.

However Police Minister Mark Ryan insisted it was normal process.

“The Parliament is the master of its own destiny and it determines its own timelines,” he said.

“There is still the proper process.

“There is nothing being missed out of the proper process.”