Australia - May 2023

The South Australian government adopted a bill on 18 May increasing maximum fines from $750 to $50,000 or three months of jail time for persons obstructing the free passage of a public place. Human rights groups have criticized the hasty passage of the bill by both the lower and upper houses without public consultation, as well as raised concerns that the bill infringes on the right to peaceful protest. The law was prompted by three days of protests after climate activists took action outside an annual gathering of fossil fuel executives. Rights experts note that the legislation is part of a worrying trend wherein climate activists are increasingly becoming the target of harsh penalties over the past year.

Sources: The Australia Institute, The Guardian, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Amnesty International, South Australian Council of Social Service