"NSW farm trespass bill criticised for turning into a crackdown ont he right to protest", 24 September 2019

A New South Wales farm trespass bill has been criticised by civil liberties organisations, environment groups and unions for turning into "a crackdown on people's rights to protest".

The Right to Farm Bill 2019, currently before the NSW parliament, can punish unlawful entry and disruption on "inclosed lands" with up to three years in jail, and increases the fine from $5,500 to $22,000.

The bill is aimed at stopping animal rights protests on farms, but a range of groups and MPs say the wording would outlaw civil protest on any enclosed space, including schools, hospitals, mine sites or banks.

...NSW MP Justin Field proposed an amendment that inserts a clause so it "does not apply to a person who is engaged in a genuine peaceful demonstration or protest".

...Under the new penalty, a person would be fined $13,200 or imprisoned for a year (or both) if acting alone, and fined $22,000 and jailed for three years if with two other people or under other aggravating circumstances.