A new report highlights how excessive bureaucratic demands from councils are undermining the right to protest in Australia, with organisers facing unrealistic financial hurdles—such as being required to secure a $20 million public liability insurance policy—for simply holding a rally in a public park. Researchers from the Australian Democracy Network and Deakin University’s Centre for Law as Protection warn that councils are increasingly imposing strict insurance requirements and financial penalties for gatherings held without permits, raising concerns over the erosion of public assembly rights. The findings suggest regional and urban councils are wielding disproportionate control over protests, potentially stifling democratic expression through administrative red tape. The report underscores growing tensions between local governance and the fundamental freedom to assemble peacefully.
Public gatherings stymied by bureaucracy, Australian Democracy Network and Deakin University researchers findGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCouncil red tape is stymieing the right to protest, a report has said, after a regional New South Wales council told a protest organiser they needed a $20m public liability insurance policy to hold a rally in a park.A report released on Wednesday, co-authored by Australian Democracy Network (ADN) and Deakin University’s Centre for Law as Protection, raised concerns about incidents in which councils have required protest organisers to obtain insurance when rallies are held on council land. It also expressed concern about the power some regional and urban councils have to issue financial penalties if public gatherings are held without a council permit. Continue reading...
