Protesters face stiff penalties in South Australia

userMay 18, 2023

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.

South Australian authorities and politicians took action against protesters after three days of obstruction by climate group Extinction Rebellion.

One of the protests involved a 69-year-old woman rappelling off a bridge in the city on Wednesday, disrupting traffic for about 90 minutes during peak hours.

“I want you to cut the rope and let me down,” Police Chief Grant Stevens told media.

“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.

Now, the state has rushed to pass Congressional bills that increase the maximum fine for obstruction of justice from $750 to $50,000 or three months in prison.

Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said the changes “will not make any changes” to people’s ability to protest peacefully in South Australia.

“But what must not be allowed is for people to disrupt others in the community in a way that endangers the risk and safety of others,” he said.

“Frankly, Extinction Rebellion’s actions harm decarbonization.”

Opposition leader David Spears said Wednesday’s protests had taken a toll on businesses, with some reports of delays in showing people to appointments at the nearby Royal Adelaide Hospital.

“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.

“What we saw yesterday at Extinction Rebellion was outrageous and unacceptable.”

At Thursday’s protests, activists allegedly targeted the Adelaide headquarters of oil and gas company Santos and threw paint at the building. Four people were arrested.

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.

Green MP Robert Sims said such a bill restricting the right to protest was “appalling”.

“Strict anti-protest legislation has been rushed through the state legislature in New South Wales and it is very concerning to hear that South Australia could be next,” he said.

“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

userMay 18, 2023