Australia: Public Order

The NSW Court of Appeal has struck down sweeping anti-protest laws enacted after the Bondi Beach terror attack, ruling that police powers to ban public assemblies across broad geographic areas violated constitutional protections for political communication. The landmark decision examines whether governments can impose blanket restrictions on peaceful protests during times of heightened security concerns, and what constitutional limits exist on such powers.

An AVO is designed to protect individuals from harm or threats. It is a civil matter unless breached—then it becomes criminal.

Bill expands scope of hate-related offences, inserting new hate crime offences and mandatory minimum prison sentences.