Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri in court over Queen St protest charges

A renegade councillor is challenging “ridiculous’’ charges pressed by Brisbane City Council after leading a four-person protest.

After defeating a questionable traffic offence, a maverick Brisbane councillor is back before the courts in an attempt to quash new charges.

Gabba Ward Councillor Jonathan Sri was charged by Brisbane City Council under the Public Land and Assets Local Law 2014 with undertaking a prohibited activity (protesting).

Cr Sri, whose ward covers the trendy left wing inner-city area around West End, was also charged with failing to obtain consent to carry out a regulated activity (displaying a placard).

Both alleged offences related to a public protest in Queen Street Mall involving Cr Sri and three others on September 25 last year.

The group was protesting the Federal Government’s cashless debit card for welfare recipients.

Cr Sri’s matters were first mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

The charges were adjourned until December 10 to allow for a brief of evidence to be disclosed to Cr Sri’s defence.

Cr Jonathan Sri. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jono Searle

Both offences carry a maximum fine of 20 penalty units.

Speaking outside court, Cr Sri told City North News he would be disputing the charges on the basis they contravened Queensland’s Human Rights Act.

“It’s the first time that I’m aware the laws have been challenged since the new Act came into force in 2019,” Cr Sri said.

“Members of the public have a right to peaceful protest.

“It’s ridiculous BCC is fining people for standing in the middle of the mall holding signs.

“In a supposedly democratic country like Australia people shouldn’t be getting fined for things like that.

“This is more akin to the attacks on democracy we see in China and Russia.”

Cr Sri, a regular at countless protests since he was elected two terms ago as Brisbane’s first Greens councillor, has proved to be a magnet for controversy this year.

He is fresh from defending himself on a charge of failing to stop his bicycle when safe to do so at a yellow light.

A court heard the police officer who charged Cr Sri had made a series of posts personally attacking the councillor before charging him with the offence.

The Queensland Police Service was ordered to pay Cr Sri’s costs.

Originally published as Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri in court over Queen St protest charges