Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Jack Gramenz and Farid Farid

NSW passes law to stop traffic blockades

Protesters in NSW could face up to two years in prison for blocking roads and other facilities. (AAP)

The NSW government has passed legislation to crackdown on disruptive protesters following several arrests of climate change activists blocking traffic and access to ports.

Protesters now face a maximum penalty of two years' jail and $22,000 fines for disrupting traffic or preventing access on roads.

The Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill also creates new offences targeting people blocking access to major facilities including ports and railways.

Climate change activists, particularly those within the Blockade Australia movement, have in recent weeks blocked access to Port Botany in Sydney and disrupted road traffic.

The incidents prompted the bill, which critics say has been rushed and could stifle legitimate protest.

Parliament passed the bill with the support of Labor.

In the lower house on Friday afternoon, Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the new laws were not about climate change or closing down democracy or legitimate protests.

"This bill is about protecting ordinary citizens from the random attacks of anarchists," Mr Speakman said, accusing the Greens who opposed it of "showing their true colours".

"They're not green, they're black, they're anarchists," Mr Speakman said.

Opposition leader Chris Minns said the protesters were not helping their cause for action on climate change.

"What about a pregnant mother who's desperate to get to a public hospital but can't because for three days in a row, there's traffic chaos in the southern part of Sydney," he said.

"It's not like coal barons are the people being affected by these protests."

Greens MP David Shoebridge said "these laws represent an ongoing attack on basic political freedoms".

The Greens sought amendments to address concerns the bill would change the status quo in NSW, and require protesters to get permission from police to protest rather than simply informing them of a protest occurring.

Roads Minister Natalie Ward opposed the amendments and said the intention of the bill was not to require police approval for protests.

"The offences do not apply to matters authorised by police or a public authority and that's simply the crux of it," Ms Ward said.

On Friday afternoon, NSW Police charged a further four people for blocking traffic on the Princes Highway at Sylvania.

Two men aged 34 and 65, and two women aged 40 and 67, were charged with failing to comply with a direction and wilfully preventing free passage.

They were granted bail but police said they failed to meet their conditions and will face court on Saturday.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.