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Joyce says Harbour Bridge protest will ‘create a precedent’
Legal experts have warned that Sunday’s demonstration on the Sydney Harbour Bridge could result in further disruptions, with no law preventing future applications for protests.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was asked on Sunrise if the pro-Palestine rally, which had a turnout of over 90,000 people, sets a precedent for other advocacy groups.
“I think Australians understand that the peaceful right to protest is important in our democracy, but we wouldn’t want to see the Harbour Bridge shut down every weekend,” she said.
“I think Australians do want to send a message that there has been too much death, too many people have lost their lives, and we want to see the hostages return, we want to see humanitarian access to Gaza, we particularly don’t want to see children starving to death as a result of this conflict,” she added.
On the other hand, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said that the protest will start a precedent.
“Once you’ve got one issue saying, ‘this is really important to us,’ and I don’t doubt for one second how important this is, everyone wants to see an end to the war, but you create a precedent for other groups,” he said.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to work.”
Emissions reduction ‘central’ to boosting productivity
An answer to Australia’s languishing productivity lies in its response to the threat of climate change, an independent government advisory body has found.
Adapting to growing climate-related risks while also reducing emissions and transitioning to clean energy will enable higher productivity growth and living standards, according to an interim report by the Productivity Commission.
The findings come as Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to convene a roundtable in search of a solution to the nation’s lagging productivity.
“Australia’s net zero transformation is well under way,” commissioner Barry Sterland said.
“Getting the rest of the way at the lowest possible cost is central to our productivity challenge.”
