PERTH, Australia – The Western Australian government is moving to introduce new legislation aimed at curbing hate speech and bolstering security at protests, following a series of incidents across Australia that have raised concerns about public safety and social cohesion. Premier Roger Cook announced the proposed laws on Sunday, citing the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi, New South Wales, in December and an alleged attempted terror attack at an Invasion Day protest in Perth in January as key catalysts.
The Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill, to be introduced in state parliament this week, will grant police the power to refuse permits for protests deemed likely to “promote hate based on factors such as religion, race, disability, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.” Cook emphasized the need for a proactive response to emerging threats, stating, “We have to respond to what we saw in Bondi, we have to respond to what we see emerging on the east coast. We have to respond to the fact that Western Australia is not immune to these activities.”
Police were called to Forrest Place on January 26 after a man allegedly threw a homemade bomb into a crowd of peaceful protesters. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
The proposed legislation comes as other states are also tightening laws around protests. New South Wales recently passed laws allowing police to ban authorized protests for up to three months following a terror attack.
However, the WA government’s plan has already drawn criticism from the Greens, who fear the new laws could unduly restrict the right to protest. Greens MP Sophie McNeill expressed concern that the legislation would grant police excessive discretion over who is permitted to protest. “We’re really worried that there is no oversight to this, no independent scrutiny,” McNeill said. “These are our most basic, fundamental democratic rights.”
Sophie McNeill says the new laws would give police the power to decide who gets to stage a protest. (ABC News: Callum Liddelow)
Beyond protest regulations, the bill also seeks to expand the state’s ban on Nazi symbols to include representations of all organizations outlawed under Commonwealth legislation, and will apply to juveniles. The legislation will criminalize wearing face coverings in public with the intent to intimidate or cause apprehension, with exemptions for legitimate reasons such as health, occupational safety, religious observance, cultural practices, or artistic expression.
The bill will also make it an offense to knowingly provide false or misleading information when applying for a protest permit. WA Police Minister Reece Whitby emphasized that the laws are intended to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public safety. He pointed to the alleged attempted terror attack at the Invasion Day rally as an example of the type of behavior the legislation aims to address.
Reece Whitby says keeping people safe is the driving force behind the new laws. (ABC News: Callum Liddelow)
Attorney General Tony Buti echoed this sentiment, stating that the events in Bondi and Perth had prompted a reassessment of security measures. “Bondi happened, who’s to say Western Australia is immune from that?” he asked. “We have been very lucky in Western Australia. We have a harmonious, tolerant society where we champion our diversity. But we’re getting ready and allowing police the powers if they need to use them.”
The legislation is expected to be debated in the Western Australian parliament next week.