Liberty Victoria supports the right to protest

Liberty Victoria understands that there are moves by the Opposition to introduce anti-protest laws to the Victorian Parliament. The proposed law would give police the power to break up protests and ban some protesters from rally sites.

The right to protest is a fundamental component of a robust democracy, and Liberty Victoria categorically opposes the introduction of any new anti-protest laws in Victoria. 

Importantly, protesters have the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights, and are protected by the implied freedom of political communication under the Constitution. 

Similar laws were introduced in 2014 and were rightly repealed a year later due to their effect on free speech and peaceful protest. 

We note that existing laws are more than sufficient to allow police to deal with any incidents of violence.