Your views: on parliament and protest
Today, readers comment on a rare example of swift, bipartisan action to make public obstruction fines 66 times more expensive and introducing prison terms.
Commenting on the story: Parliament rushes through tougher laws in face of climate protests
It’s amazing that when it comes to controlling people and invading our park lands, it takes a day to pass legislation. For issues like the environment or housing it takes years. It’s not a good look for democracy. – Ivan Lloyd
What absurd and terrifyingly draconian amendments these are. Non-violent political protest in Australia – no matter how annoying and disruptive – should never result in potential jail time.
This is unfortunately part of a broader trend of Australian politicians from all sides deciding it’s easier to be the arbiters of what speech is allowed, instead of letting society more broadly decide what’s acceptable and dealing with “unsavoury” speech accordingly.
A well-functioning democratic society must accept there will always be things said which we agree with, as well as things we vehemently disagree with. Next time Speirs or any other politician who supports these amendments bellow red-faced about “free speech,” never forget how entirely hollow and disingenuous their commitment to it really is. Freedom of speech is and always will be an integral part of our civil liberties and must be defended. A dark day for South Australian democracy. – Louis Rankin
So when we have weeks of road closures associated with the annual (climate change-gas producing) car race, will we be able to fine the Premier for his government’s role in such large scale public obstruction? – Sandra Kanck
Thank God there are people around like ER who are courageous enough to buck societal expectations of keeping quiet and carrying on, and instead are making a big noisy inconvenient fuss about our Earth systems collapsing under the strain of unsustainable human behaviour.
More power to their elbow, frankly. The rest of us ostriches should pay their exorbitant fines, keep them out of jail, and make sure we take every legal opportunity afforded to us as citizens to support their cause – which they’re fighting on all our behalf, and as our legacy to the next generation. – David Kerner
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has criticised protests which “piss people off” – blocking traffic, etc. Our political leaders have expressed their anger, saying the blockage was reckless and selfish. Fair enough.
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So … how about doing something surrounding the equivalent slowdown/blockages occurring regularly on South Road? I’m referring to the ( I assume) sanctioned ‘wide load’ cavalcades cruising up and down the road during normal commuting / business times.
A three lane expressway that’s had two lanes effectively blocked by two semis with wide loads leaving a trail of bumper to bumper congestion during morning peak hour, is insane. If its legal, it shouldn’t be. If it’s not, why isn’t it stopped.?
These extreme loads like half houses, long bridge girders, water tanks, mining trucks etc should be transported through the metropolitan area during the wee hours of the morning, causing minimal disruption. What say you Mr Stevens and pollies? – Mark Brogan
