Australian State to Outlaw Traffic-Stopping Devices Used by Climate Protesters

Australian State to Outlaw Traffic-Stopping Devices Used by Climate Protesters
Police are seen arresting an Extinction Rebellion protester after protesters blocked the corner of Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England)
AAP
By AAP
8/19/2019
Updated:
8/19/2019

Devices employed by protesters to lock themselves together and make it harder to be removed from roads and train tracks will be outlawed in Queensland.

Using the steel cylinders or drums filled with concrete will carry a penalty under new laws.

Police will also be given powers to search people and vehicles they suspect are carrying them.

Dozens of Extinction Rebellion climate protesters have been arrested in recent weeks but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told parliament on Tuesday she believes new laws are needed.

Those protesters want communities to collectively find solutions that would lead to zero carbon emissions by 2025, the preservation of biodiversity and the truth being told about global heating.

They say stopping traffic makes people take notice of the issue and is necessary action to avoid extinction.

But the premier doesn’t like those tactics, describing them as reckless and selfish.

She says police have told her the cylinders and drums used to bring thoroughfares to a standstill contain pieces of glass and butane gas containers that injure those who try to cut the protesters out.

“Everyone has the right to conduct a peaceful protest,” she told parliament on Tuesday. “The activities of some are not peaceful, they’re not right and I’m not going to let them continue.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan has branded such protesters as “extremists” who don’t share the values of democracy, like respect for the law and the rights of others.

“This government will bring in measures to disrupt the actions of those who believe their rights can ride rough shot over the rights of others,” he said.

It comes as Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner gets ready to introduce a bill imposing tougher penalties for protesters who trespass.

He says protesters don’t have the right to trespass, lock themselves to machinery or disrupt the agricultural sector.

Those found guilty of trespassing on farm land would face a maximum penalty of up to a year behind bars once the bill becomes law.

Earlier this year the state government allowed police and biosecurity officers to issue on-the-spot fines of A$652.17 to activists on top of existing trespass penalties.

It followed a spate of animal rights protests on farms and abattoirs.

By Sonia Kohlbacher

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