Protesters face stiff penalties in South Australia
Key Point
- The South Australian government hastily passed legislation to increase the cap on fines for obstructing an official.
- This follows a series of protests by climate change group Extinction Rebellion.
- Politicians and police said the protests disrupted communities and compromised security.
“The rope is completely stretched across the street, so you can’t just cut it and drop it, no matter how much you want to,” he says.
Members of Extinction Rebellion staged a protest this week at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association meeting at the Adelaide Convention Centre. sauce: AAP / Matt Turner
Extinction Rebellion said the protesters’ actions gave a “life or death message” to delegates attending a nearby meeting of the Australian Oil Production and Exploration Association at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said the changes “will not make any changes” to people’s ability to protest peacefully in South Australia.
“These kinds of protests are getting out of control, and I’m tired of seeing groups and individuals just getting slapped on the wrist,” he said.
South Australian Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas has criticized Extinction Liberals. sauce: AAP / Mick Tsikas
“We believe everyone in South Australia has the right to protest, but in a peaceful way that respects those who choose to live their daily lives.
A 68-year-old woman in Victoria and a 49-year-old woman in New South Wales for vandalism and graffiti, a 50-year-old Victoria man for vandalism and a 66-year-old man in Adelaide for disorderly conduct. was indicted for and property damage.
“Peaceful protest and the right to civil disobedience are the cornerstones of our democracy.”
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/protesters-to-face-harsher-punishment-after-outrageous-disruption/fhycg08c4 Protesters face stiff penalties in South Australia
