A significant internal challenge is emerging within the New South Wales (NSW) Labor Party as fifty-six state branches have formally called for the repeal or review of contentious anti-protest laws. This push comes ahead of the party's state conference, a crucial event for shaping policy, particularly as it is the last before the upcoming March election. The entire left faction of the party has explicitly backed a motion advocating for the outright repeal of two specific laws.
These controversial laws, passed by the previous Coalition government and supported by Labor at the time, include provisions for penalties of up to two years in jail for individuals blocking major facilities. The left faction's motion also targets a more recent law, enacted last year, which restricts protests outside places of worship. This latter legislation was introduced after an earlier version by the current Minns government was deemed unconstitutional, highlighting the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding protest rights in the state.
Amidst these calls, concerns have been voiced by some Labor members regarding the scheduling of the debate on these protest laws at the conference. The issue has been placed second last on the agenda, leading to accusations that it is an attempt to stifle discussion from the party's grassroots. Asrah Sobh, a Labor party member, stated in a press conference that this scheduling was an effort to "shut down branch members' voices," arguing that the right to protest was the most submitted issue by branches in the social justice chapter.
While the internal debate over protest laws is set to dominate, other significant policy areas are also on the conference agenda. Gambling reform, the AUKUS security pact, and the situation in Palestine are among the top issues raised in motions submitted by various branches. However, debate on the state's position on the "Australia and the World" committee report, which includes a lengthy endorsement of AUKUS, is reportedly being referred to the party's national conference, a move criticised by groups like Labor Friends of Palestine and Labor Against War.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is expected to address the party faithful on Saturday, with a key announcement anticipated to appease unions: a plan to bring train manufacturing back to the Hunter region. This commitment, which involves £6.3 billion (12 billion AUD) in funding over 15 years, is projected to create 780 jobs in site construction and 550 ongoing manufacturing jobs. However, analysts suggest this announcement may be overshadowed by the intense internal party debate surrounding the anti-protest legislation.
The motion from the Labor left argues that the anti-protest laws, despite being presented as promoting safety, have not achieved this outcome. Instead, it claims they have "created conditions where tension and violence at protests are more likely to occur," citing "disturbing scenes" at a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog on 9 February. A report by Legal Observers NSW, an independent group, supported this view, finding evidence of "collective and systemic police escalation" after reviewing over 150 videos and witness statements from the event.
Source: The Guardian Australia