Alex Demetriadi: Australia’s peak imam body has urged the NSW opposition to withhold cross-party support for Premier Chris Minns’s plans that the government says will strengthen and “streamline” laws against religion-based violence and incitement given a rise of anti-Semitism since October 7.

However, the group have said they are not alone in sharing “concerns” that the proposals were being “rushed”.

On Monday, NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman and his shadow front bench met with multi-religion group Faith NSW, where the main point of discussion between Mr Speakman’s team and faith leaders was the government’s proposed amendments to section 93Z of the state crimes act, which would “streamline” the process by dropping the need for police to seek Director of Public Prosecutions approval before tabling charges.

On Sunday, The Australian revealed how three cast members of The Seagull – the Chekhov classic adapted for the STC’s latest run by playwright Andrew Upton, Cate Blanchett’s husband – wore traditional keffiyeh headdress during Saturday night’s encore in a “stance” of support for the “occupation of the Palestinian people”.

The STC later distanced itself from the stunt, with a spokeswoman saying it was not aware prior to the move and that it apologised for “any distress caused”.

The NSW Supreme Court has struck down part of a suite of tough anti-protest laws rushed through state parliament last year, ruling that criminalising activities that cause partial closures or redirections around ports and train stations was constitutionally invalid.

Climate change protesters Dominique Jacobs and Helen Kvelde, represented by the Environmental Defenders Office, launched a constitutional challenge last year to the new laws, which imposed a maximum penalty of a $22,000 fine, imprisonment for two years, or both.

More than 100 climate protesters will face court, including a 97-year-old minister of religion, following a weekend blockade at Port of Newcastle.

This protest, beginning on Saturday morning, involved groups paddling into the shipping lane servicing the world’s largest coal port and demanding for the government stop allowing new coal projects, tax fossil fuel export profits at 75 per cent to fund community and industrial transition, and pay for climate loss and damage.

As the organised finishing time for the protest passed, groups remained in the water, resulting in a total of 109 arrests – 49 men, 60 women and five juvenile demonstrators. All have been charged with operating a vessel so as to interfere with others’ use of waters.

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) has called on police to withdraw their charges against legal observers during a climate change protest in Newcastle over the weekend. 

Volunteers known as Legal Observers actively participate in protests to safeguard the rights of demonstrators and enhance police accountability. Although they can be invited to attend protests, Legal Observers operate independently and refrain from involvement in the protest itself or decisions related to its course.

Designated as Human Rights Defenders by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Legal Observers engage in tasks such as distributing information cards, educating individuals about their legal rights, and documenting interactions through note-taking, photography, or videography.

During the recent weekend climate protest, organised by climate change activist organization, Rising Tide, Legal Observers were easily identifiable in pink high-visibility vests bearing the words "Legal Observer" in prominent black letters and openly communicated their presence and role to the police. Despite this, they faced charges for doing nothing further than what was within their role as Legal Observers.

This incident is not the first instance of Legal Observers being arrested while fulfilling their duties during protests.

Climate protestors took to the waters of Newcastle Port on Saturday morning for a 32-hour rally orchestrated by the climate change activist organization Rising Tide. This protest had been prearranged, and the group had been granted permission by the police to occupy the waters until 4 pm on Sunday.

Activists aimed to stop the departure of coal exports from the city and bring attention to their demands including stopping approval for new coal projects, a 75% tax on profits from fossil fuel exports, and allocated funds for addressing climate loss and damage.

However, on Monday morning, law enforcement disclosed that they had apprehended 109 individuals, comprising 49 men, 60 women, and five minors, for remaining in the water beyond the 4 pm deadline.

Organisations including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties are calling on New South Wales Police to drop these charges.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties (“the Council”) and Muslim Women Australia (“MWA”) have filed a joint submission into the New South Wales Review of Legal Protections against Forced Marriage.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties has consistently raised our concerns with respect to the proposed Crimes Amendment (Prosecution of Certain Offences) Bill 2023 (“the Bill”). We refer to our previous press release issued on 23 and 28 November 2023 on this issue.

We are aware that the Bill passed the Legislative Assembly last night and that the Opposition sought to have the DPP remain as a safeguard, as well as including police officers only of the rank of an Inspector be authorised to prosecute offences pursuant to s. 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

We are also aware that the Greens sought to introduce a statutory review period of twelve months and that the Bill should be referred to the Standing Committee on Social issues.

We remain opposed to the removal of the DPP as a safeguard and remain concerned that there is a push for legislative amendments to be rammed through parliament without proper consideration, scrutiny and consultation by the Minns Government.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties supports the campaign for a Royal Commission into
Immigration Detention – including onshore and offshore detention on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

The campaign for a Royal Commission into Immigration Detention is being launched at Parliament
House in Canberra on Tuesday 28 November 2023, hosted by Kylea Tink, Member for North Sydney.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties has consistently raised our concerns with respect to
the proposed Crimes Amendment (Prosecution of Certain Offences) Bill 2023. We note our previous
press release issued on 23 November 2023 on this issue.