The Australian high court is hearing appeals from activists who say that laws banning protests outside abortion clinics infringe on their rights to free speech.
Currently, Victoria has active legislation that establishes a 150 metre zone around abortion clinics where protesters are barred from protesting which is designed to reduce harassment and intimidation of potential patients when entering clinics.
The court is hearing from 2 pro life activists who state the legislated exclusion zones around clinics infringes their right to political communication, however Human rights Law Centre’s Adrianne Walters states that whilst Australians do have a right to political communication, it is not a licence to harm others with impunity.
The appeals are still in progress at the current moment.