The right to protest has emerged as the single most submitted issue by Labor branches and affiliated unions ahead of the upcoming NSW Labor Annual Conference in July 2026. A total of 56 motions have been passed by party branches and trade unions across NSW calling for the repeal of anti-protest laws and stronger protections for the right to protest.
Concerns regarding these laws are shared broadly across different factions of the party. Labor MPs including Anthony D’Adam MLC, Cameron Murphy MLC, Stephen Lawrence MLC, Jihad Dib MP and Sarah Kaine MLC have all previously raised concerns regarding the policing of recent demonstrations in NSW.
On Saturday 23 May, Left Faction delegates agreed to prioritise protest rights for the upcoming conference. The motion, previously unanimously endorsed by the Left in March, specifically calls for the repeal of the 2022 Roads and Crimes Legislation and the 2025 Places of Worship legislation.
The push comes after multiple Minns Government protest powers were struck down by the courts, intensifying public and internal pressure on Labor ahead of July’s State Conference. The 56 motions submitted by branches and unions represent the largest coordinated internal pushback against the Minns Government’s protest laws to date.
There are also growing calls from civil society for accountability, including a February open letter signed by 69 organisations calling for an independent inquiry into the use of excessive police force during recent protests. Signatories included faith groups, unions and legal organisations.
Both NSWCCL and Australian Democracy Network (ADN) call on all Labor members, unions, and conference delegates to support these motions and protect the fundamental right to peacefully assemble and march.
Comments attributable to Timothy Roberts, NSWCCL President:
“The protest laws in NSW are among the harshest in Australia and are undermining democratic freedoms and community trust. The NSWCCL is calling for a full repeal of anti-protest laws and will continue campaigning for protest rights to be respected.
“Labor Party members and union leaders now have an opportunity to show leadership at the State Conference and help turn a new page on protest rights in NSW. Protecting democratic freedoms is essential to maintaining a peaceful and cohesive community. ”
Comments attributable to Anastasia Radievska, Protest Rights Campaigner at Australian Democracy Network:
“Community organisations around NSW have consistently called on Labor to respect and protect the right to protest. These calls have so far fallen on deaf ears. The Minns’ government ignored an overwhelming number of submissions calling for the Liberals’ anti-protest laws to be repealed and instead passed three more of their own. It’s time for Labor to realise that Australians expect to be able to peacefully assemble, demonstrate and speak out without facing disproportionate legal restrictions or aggressive policing response.”
Comments attributable to Asrah Sobh, Parramatta ALP Member and Teacher:
“The Labor movement has always stood for democratic rights, collective action and the right of ordinary people to speak out for justice. As the State Conference approaches, we have a responsibility to defend those values and reject attempts to criminalise peaceful protest.
The submission of more than 56 motions from branches and unions shows the depth of concern within the Party about the erosion of civil liberties and democratic freedoms in New South Wales.
Attending the Herzog protest was deeply confronting. Seeing peaceful demonstrators met with aggressive policing reinforced for me why the right to protest matters so much. No one should fear police violence or political repression for peacefully standing up for what they believe in.”
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