Children who protested on climate change could be fined under the government's legislation introducing harsher penalties for protesters who disrupt workplaces, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms O'Connor addressed a rally on Parliament House lawns attended by more than 400 people and described the legislation as "early onset fascism".
The legislation will be debated this week and pressure is mounting on Independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie, a lawyer, to vote against them.
Ms O'Connor said the laws were "most extreme, hard right anti-democratic" and as well as children attending protest rallies, journalists also could be arrested for doing their job.
"These laws touch everyone in Tasmania except big business, and that's their intention, they are a bill of rights for the big end of town," Ms O'Connor said.
"Every single one of the young people who was striking for climate on the 20th of September this year is potentially captured by these laws.
"The Liberals want to jail them. Isn't that shameful?"
Ms O'Connor said the government insisted the laws were to protect workers "but when has the government given a stuff about workers?".
Former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said the laws should be thrown out of parliament.
"As far as I know, these are the most draconian laws ever proposed in Australia, certainly in democratic history against ordinary people making a stand peacefully, for what they believe is right," Dr Brown said.
Civil rights spokesman Richard Griggs said people who protested faced fines of up to four years, while a person who entered someone's house with a firearm would only be jailed for two years.
"It's a terrible trifecta, these laws are deeply illiberal, unjust and dangerous," Mr Griggs told the rally.
Aboriginal leader Therese Sainty said the Aboriginal community would not be silenced on the proposed laws.
"Our elders died and fought to protect our country," Ms Sainty said.
Senior government minister Michael Ferguson has defended the laws saying the people who will be penalised are those who "disrupt and invade workplaces and stop people earning a living".
"We are not banning protests," Mr Ferguson said on Sunday.
"We're not changing what is already a lawful protest.
"This is about radical groups disrupting and stopping legal trade and people earning their living.
"Ninety-nine per cent of Tasmanians won't be affected by this."
Sue Bailey
Sue works two days a week for The Examiner and The Advocate newspapers and and is based in Hobart. Loves any human interest stories!
Sue works two days a week for The Examiner and The Advocate newspapers and and is based in Hobart. Loves any human interest stories!
