‘Violence may ensue': Labor MPs speak out against premier's opposition to bridge protest
Despite repeatedly criticising pro-Palestine demonstrators – including previously flagging the potential to limit the number of times organisers could arrange protests in Sydney – Minns sought to strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, even as he reiterated that a planned march across the Harbour Bridge could not go ahead.
'Many people are worried about aid and humanitarian care getting into Gaza, and I want the killing to stop as well,' he said.
But Minns's insistence, during a radio interview with the ABC, that the planned march should not go ahead in 'any circumstances' drew an angry rebuke from some Labor MPs who say his ongoing opposition to pro-Palestinian demonstrators has created a 'hostile' atmosphere which could lead to violence.
Stephen Lawrence, an upper house Labor MP and barrister, said the 'detailed statutory regime' governing rules for protests gave 'no substantive role' to the premier in deciding whether police can refuse to give immunity to demonstrators from offences such as blocking roads.
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But, he said, he was 'extremely concerned' by the premier's comments, which he said could 'taint' due process, and potentially lead to violent confrontations between police and demonstrators because of anger over the decision to block it.
'I find it troubling that the premier's statement does not reference any apparent sound basis to prevent the protest nor the legal mechanism in NSW through which authorisation is considered,' he said.
'I am concerned the premier has, in effect, made a purported decision himself to try and prevent this protest, that this will taint proper consideration of the matter by police, and that violence may ensue as a consequence.'
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The Australian
35 minutes ago
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Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper 'Protected' More than 500 people tuned in to watch Justice Rigg give her judgment, in which she said: 'The fact the proposed assembly is likely to cause significant inconvenience to residents … is far from determinative. 'If matters such as this were to be determinative, no assembly involving inconvenience to others would be permitted.' The ruling means protesters will be protected from being charged with offences like obstructing traffic, however police retain their usual powers to address 'anti-social behaviour'. Justice Rigg said the organisers' certainty of the march proceeding means the Sydney Harbour Bridge would have to be closed for the protest, whether it was authorised or not. 'The evidence indicates there is significant support for the march,' she said. 'The march at this location is motivated by the belief that the horror and urgency of the situation in Gaza demands an urgent and extraordinary response from the people of the world.' 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The Australian
35 minutes ago
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Anthony Albanese to announce $31m mobile TAFE centres during visit to the 2025 Garma Festival
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New Liberal leader Sussan Ley will not attend the Garma Festival. Instead, shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser – who stood down from the front bench in 2023 because of his support of the Voice – will represent the Coalition. Ms Ley will, instead, travel to the Kimberley in Western Australia for a four-day listening tour with Indigenous communities and organisations. The Opposition Leader will also be joined by Coalition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Kerrynne Liddle and WA MP for Durack Melissa Price. Ms Ley said Mr Albanese had a 'personal obligation' to use his appearance at the Garma Festival to detail his government's plan to closing the gap. 'It is not good enough to just give speeches at festivals, we need to see his plan,' she said. 'Since the Voice Anthony Albanese has stepped back from Indigenous issues, that is not good enough. He led the referendum process, a process which was unsuccessful. So what is his path forward?' The four-day event, which started on Friday, will be the 25th anniversary of the Garma festival, which celebrates Yolngu culture – the name of Aboriginal peoples who inhabit northeastern Arnhem Land. The theme of this year's festival is 'rom ga waŋa wataŋu', or 'the law of the land, standing firm'. Read related topics: Anthony Albanese Jessica Wang NewsWire Federal Politics Reporter Jessica Wang is a federal politics reporter for NewsWire based in the Canberra Press Gallery. She previously covered NSW state politics for the Wire and has also worked at and Mamamia covering breaking news, entertainment, and lifestyle. @imjesswang_ Jessica Wang
