Overview
- Police in Brisbane detained a 33-year-old man at Speakers' Corner and an 18-year-old woman at King George Square for using or displaying a proscribed slogan at an unauthorised rally.
- The man, identified in reports as Liam Parry, was issued a notice to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on April 8, while the woman, named as Bonnie Carter, was cautioned and released.
- The new law outlaws the phrases “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” when used in a threatening, menacing or offensive manner, covering spoken and written displays with penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment.
- The legislation also creates offences for impeding or harassing people attending religious services and empowers bans on Hamas and Islamic State flags and the Hezbollah emblem.
- NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley declined to commit to a similar ban, with state debate set to resume on March 17 as civil society groups warn of free-speech risks and potential radicalisation.