SACOSS is concerned both by the potential unintended consequences of changes to legislation around South Australians' rights to peaceful protest, and the speed with which these changes are being made.
South Australia's record of progress arising from the work of the labour, environmental, and civil society movements is an enviable one. And peaceful protest has often been vital in helping achieve this progress.
Disturbance and interruption can invite and cause us to have to stop and reconsider. Being punished unreasonably seems completely at odds with our democracy and the civil society we would like to continue building and live in.
We urge the Legislative Council to stop this ill-considered attack on civil liberties, community rights and, ultimately our democracy, from passing into law.