Protesting and conflicts of interest

Kingborough Chronicle | 5 April 2022

In case anyone missed it, the Tasmanian Government has proposed changes to the State’s protest laws.

The Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022 focuses on amending the existing Police Offences Act and is currently open for public consultation.

Tasmania’s Minister for Resources Guy Barnett MP claimed, “Tasmanians will still be entitled to protest and have their say” however “it is the extremist protests that are becoming more prevalent and we must act now to protect Tasmanians”.

Minister Barnett proposes that monetary penalties be increased for various offences, and that Courts be allowed to double penalties, including imprisonment in certain circumstances, including trespass.

However, Independent Member for Nelson, Meg Webb MLC said the best way for any government to prevent an increasing intensity in protest actions is to listen to the concerns of its citizens, be open and transparent, and base decisions on evidence, science and the best interests of the community, not vested interests.

“If this bill comes to Parliament, I will want to see clear evidence of Minister Barnett’s claims, I will want a clear explanation of the specific outcomes he’s trying to achieve, and I will want to see convincing evidence the bill will actually achieve those intended outcomes.

“The right to protest is a normal, healthy, fundamental part of a free democracy.

“We have all benefitted from progress made in civil rights, gender equality, industrial relations and environmental protection that has come about through the efforts of committed citizens protesting.

“Historically, an escalation of protest action has been an indication of citizens having an increasing sense of urgency and powerlessness,” noted Ms Webb.

“If you don’t feel heard, you yell louder.

“If you believe there is imminent danger, you act with conviction to prevent it.

“Today, I see a broad cross-section of citizens who want urgent government action on climate change and environmental protection in order to halt the risk of catastrophic or irreparable damage.

“I also see citizens who feel shut out from government decisions due to other, more powerful, interests holding greater sway.

“I don’t believe clamping down with harsher penalties and punishments has ever been shown to prevent or reduce protest action – quite the opposite, in fact.

“Any government that tries to curtail democratic rights Protesting and conflicts of interest or increase punishments on its citizens must have an overwhelming case for doing so,” warned Ms Webb.

“I haven’t yet heard the government make such a case for this bill.”

The Kingborough Chronicle spoke to local vet scientist, volunteer and activist Dr Colette Harmsen regarding the proposed law changes on Friday, April 1.

Dr Harmsen said that Tasmania’s protest laws are designed to scare people.

“The laws are upside down,” Dr Harmsen said.

“The Minister is trying to scare people.

“I’ve been involved in direct action for a long time.

“I’ll probably have to go to jail next time (if the laws are changed).

“Protectors of the environment should not be treated like criminals.

“Those destroying the environment should be the ones being treated as criminals.

“Ever since I studied science at high school in the early 1990s, I have been acutely aware of climate change and the negative impacts humans are having on the environment, and the lack of government action to respond to these impacts,” noted Dr Harmsen.

“Here we are 30 years later and nothing has changed.

“Governments are still refusing to act, industries are still given incentives to pollute, and politicians do not look beyond the next election.

“My mental health, and the mental health of my friends has been persistently adversely affected by the continued lack of action by governments in the face of climate change and environmental destruction.

“I am not alone with this distress.

“MP Guy Barnett continues to push the industry agenda, claiming that environmentalists are threatening workplaces, and must be stopped.

“Barnett states that we are unlawful in our actions and need harsher penalties.

“It does not take a lot of intelligence to recognise that the industry activities considered lawful by Barnett are the exact same activities that are causing environmental damage and climate change,” said Dr Harmsen.

“Perhaps it is the law that needs changing and the sensible course of action is to start protecting the environment and to stop outdated and destructive industry activities such as native forest logging and mining.”

The Kingborough Chronicle asked Tasmania’s Minister for Resources Guy Barnett about his justification for the law changes, including:

“Why have the protests become more prevalent?

“What about the mental and emotional health and general psychological safety and wellbeing of young people witnessing the ongoing destruction?

“How can they ignore what they are witnessing and what they know?

“Do you represent Tasmania’s youth and do they deserve protection (no further loss) of their environment, health and wellbeing?

“How much money has the Tasmanian Liberal Party received in political donations from the mining sector and forestry sector?

The Bill will be open for public comment until 15 April and can be viewed at www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation/consultations/police-offences-amendment-workplace-protection-bill-2022

See more of Meg’s recent media.