New laws crack down on protest ‘devices’, chains

Devices used by extremists to shut down public thoroughfares and infrastructure will be targeted under new laws announced today.

DEVICES used by extremists to shut down public thoroughfares and infrastructure will be targeted under new laws proposed by the State Government.

The proposed offence will make it illegal to possess such devices that are used to lock onto infrastructure.

Police will have the power to search a person or vehicle suspected of carrying one of these devices.

According to Police Minister Mark Ryan, the changes would make it easier for police to prevent disruptions caused by protesters.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said police had made dozens of arrests using existing laws but she now believed new ones were required.

“You can tell yourself your cause is worth gluing yourself to a road but you’ll never explain to a grieving family why your politics are worth stopping an ambulance from reaching a hospital,” she said.

Cabinet yesterday decided police, under the laws, will now have the power to search anyone suspected of being in possession of dangerous devices, like steel cylinders.

A protester blocked the Abbot Point Coal Terminal rail line.

“They will be illegal,” the Premier said.

“ … Every minute our firies, ambos and police spend dealing with these protesters is a minute they’re not spending helping others.

“It is a burden on business, a danger to themselves and others and it can’t be allowed to continue.”

Galilee Blockade spokesman Ben Pennings slammed the proposed laws.

“Labor is revisiting the Bjelke-Peterson era, stifling dissent to a regime controlled by fossil fuel donors,” he said in a statement.

It didn’t work then and it won’t work now because a majority of Queenslanders don’t want the Adani mine. You can’t shut down all of us.”

“Most of our members are grandparents. Will police start strip-searching them looking for super-glue, just because they want to protect their grandkids? Labor must embrace clean energy rather than dirty politics.”

In a statement, Mr Ryan said anyone who used one the targeted devices during a protest, would be subject to a new offence.

He said Queensland had entered a new era of extremist action.

“No-one disputes the right of people to protest peacefully and lawfully.

“The changes to the law we are introducing will have no impact on the ability of anyone to protest lawfully.

“But the actions we are witnessing now are not protests.

“What we are seeing now from these extremists is a flagrant disregard for the law and the rights of others.

“This is contrary to the shared values of our democratic society.

“And this extreme behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Mr Ryan said the police acknowledged the rights of people to protest lawfully and peacefully.

“But anyone who breaks the law, will feel the full force of the law,” he said.

Originally published as New laws crack down on protest ‘devices’, chains