Groups launch Supreme Court challenge to NSW post-attack protest laws

A constitutional challenge has been launched in the New South Wales supreme court by the Blak Caucus, Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Jews Against the Occupation '48 against laws that restrict protest actions for up to three months after terrorist incidents, introduced after the December Bondi attack.

In the court summons the co‑applicants argue the laws are invalid because they "impermissibly burden the implied constitutional freedom of communication on government and political matters". The laws prevent protests being authorised by police after a public assembly restriction declaration (PARD) and were rushed through parliament last month after the Bondi massacre.

In December PAG organiser Josh Lees accused the government of stripping away the right to peaceful protest with "no evidence at all" that it would make anyone safer. NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon extended a 14‑day declaration made under the powers on Christmas Eve for Sydney's CBD, south‑west and north‑west policing areas until 20 January, citing ongoing community safety concerns but saying no further intelligence had come to light.

The groups have warned the declaration, which can be extended for a total of 90 days, could affect expected invasion day rallies on 26 January; Lanyon said it was "very premature to consider that".

Key Topics

Politics, Blak Caucus, Palestine Action Group, New South Wales, Bondi Attack, Mal Lanyon