Tassie government revives bill to crack down on workplace protesters

The government is attempting to revive a bill designed to crack down on workplace protesters.

The state government has announced it will make a third attempt to pass controversial anti-protest laws.

An initial version of the laws were thrown out by the High Court in 2017. A second version was roundly criticised by the Greens, lawyers and civil libertarians and and voted down by the Upper House in March.

Resources Minister Guy Barnett said new legislation would be presented to parliament based on the previous bill

The government’s intention was to protect workers and workplaces from the impact of disruptive protest, he said.

“As a government, we remain committed to protecting Tasmanians’ right to work, the right of business to operate freely, the right to lawfully do so without threats and intimidation, without disruption from extremist protesters,” he told parliament.

PARLIAMENT BACK

“It is taking into account the federal legislation, the previous legislation and the legislation that has been passed by other states and territories across Australia. It will protect not just the right to work but the right to free speech, which we have always held onto.

“Our legislation has been supported by the farmers; the fishers; the foresters; the miners; the business, large and small. We have had that support year in, year out; election in, and election out. We have a mandate. We will re-prosecute this.”

He called on the Labor Party to back the bill.

A petition from 3,500 people opposing the laws was presented to state parliament on Tuesday.

Bob Brown Foundation campaign manager Jenny Weber described the bill as “draconian”, saying it would stifle protests for the sake of large corporations.

PROTESTS SQUASHED: Bob Brown Foundation activist Jenny Weber describes the new Workplace Protection Bill as draconian. Picture: Kenji Sato

Ms Weber said they regularly protested at workplaces including at the Ta Ann logging company, the Artec woodchip mill, and the McKay timber mill.

Ms Weber herself has been arrested a number of times for her protests, but fears this new bill would make their activist efforts even more difficult.

“Premier Gutwein’s government needs to stop wasting taxpayers money and parliamentary time with attempts to pass draconian anti-protest laws,” Ms Weber said.

“Sadly, under the Liberal government we have a drawn-out attempt to introduce laws that shield business from public criticism and rule economic interests of corporations over the civil liberties of individuals.”

The new legislation is expected to be tabled in parliament in the coming weeks.