In a major decision recognising the right to protest during COVID19, the NSW Supreme Court has ruled that the right to freedom of speech outweighs the minimal health risks of a COVID-safe rally.
The Director of the National Justice Project has stated the right to protest can be protected in a covid sage manner when the NSW government is allowing as many as 18 thousand to attend sports matches. The court’s decision on Monday meant that a National Tertiary Education Union rally against funding cuts to the university sector went ahead yesterday in Sydney attracting approximately100 participants.
Despite the ruling the rally approval was denied and NSW police sought to prohibit the rally taking place. The rally’s organiser has voiced concern over the NSW police and governments opportunistic use of covid to ban all protests.