Tough police powers to target ‘hate-promoting’ protests

Police will get the power to reject protest applications they believe could promote hate under planned state laws.

Police could unmask protesters under beefed-up state laws that would also ban the public display of symbols linked to designated terror organisations.

Police would also be empowered to reject protest applications the force believes are likely to promote hate under proposed laws to be introduced to the West Australian parliament on Tuesday.

“Over the summer, we’ve seen multiple threats across Australia which my government has committed to responding to, including the Bondi Beach anti-Semitic terrorist attack,” Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Sunday.

“What has been targeted by these laws today is behaviour that crosses the line through violence, harassment or intimidation.”

The legislation, which aims to “foster community safety” by bolstering police powers, could also make it an offence to knowingly provide false and misleading information in an application for a protest.

“Police will have the power to reject protests which promote hate against people based on race, ethnicity, sex, sexuality or disability,” Mr Cook said.

The state government pointed to demonstrations by neo-Nazi groups as a reason to expand protest-refusal powers.

The amendments will also seek to extend WA’s ban on Nazi symbols to include symbols of organisations banned under the federal laws, such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic State.

The state will also make it illegal to wear face coverings in public to intimidate or threaten others.

Free speech and the right to peaceful protest remain fundamental rights in WA despite the proposed laws, Mr Cook said.

“What has been targeted by these laws today is behaviour that crosses the line, violence, harassment or intimidation,” he said.

But WA Greens MP Sophie McNeill said the proposed amendments could impact basic democratic rights and stifle free speech.

“The government says this legislation is aimed at Nazis, but if it is written too broadly, it could be applied against any group at the will of the police,” she said.

The WA legislation follows the rollout of anti-protest and hate-speech laws in other jurisdictions, including a ban on rallies in designated areas in NSW following the Bondi massacre that left 15 innocent people dead.

However, a police attempt to move on protesters at a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Sydney on Monday descended into a series of violent clashes during which officers punched, pushed and pepper-sprayed activists.

Having consistently defended the police crackdown, NSW Premier Chris on Sunday said he would not comment further on the incidents now that the police watchdog was investigating.

The premier would also not be drawn on the different stance taken by Anthony Albanese, who said the police’s controversial disruption of Muslim prayers at the rally demanded a full investigation.

By: Aaron Bunch/AAP