NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended his government’s restrictions on protest following the Bondi terror attack and during the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, saying the state has not made demonstrating illegal.
“One of the misconceptions that’s been repeatedly expressed by opponents of the government is that protest is illegal in NSW,” Minns told parliament on Tuesday.
“It is not illegal in NSW, there were restrictions in place for protest marches, and restrictions in place for places of assembly during … the major events designation.”
Four Labor MPs attended a rally on Monday night opposing the presidential visit: Sarah Kaine, Cameron Murphy, Stephen Lawrence and Anthony D’Adam.
The demonstration descended into chaos after police charged at protesters who tried to march towards NSW Parliament despite the area falling under the public assembly restriction area.
Minns said he wished government MPs hadn’t attended but has resisted opposition calls for them to be disciplined.
“They didn’t break the law, they didn’t participate in hate speech,” Minns said.
“You are, of course, allowed to disagree with the government’s point of view, even if you’re a member of that government,” Minns told parliament.
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