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	New WYD Laws Spark Trouble in Nsw By Ashley Hall ABC News July 2, 2008 http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2292680.htm MARK COLVIN: The New South Wales Government has suddenly got Sydney excited about the Pope's visit for World Youth Day, but not in the way it hoped. There's been a swelling tide of anger at new regulations which give the police the power to arrest anyone who causes "annoyance or inconvenience to pilgrims". They're designed to cover Chaser-style stunts as well as protests and offenders could be fined up to $5,500. Even Catholics are speaking out against the anti-protest measures. And some suggest the government's move will draw more people onto the streets to voice their objections to the new rules. Ashley Hall reports. ASHLEY HALL: It's the sort of publicity the organisers of World Youth Day couldn't buy, and probably wouldn't want. After months of trying to excite Sydneysiders about the week-long festival for Catholic youth, the State Government's finally managed to get a lot of people fired-up. JOHN SWEENEY: This is very like imagining Jesus asking for police protection at his entry into Jerusalem on… that Christians celebrate around the worlds every Palm Sunday. ASHLEY HALL: John Sweeney is the co-coordinator of research at the Edmund Rice Centre, which promotes social justice and human rights under the auspices of the Christian Brothers. JOHN SWEENEY: When Jesus did do this, you know the people in the crowd shouted out things that the religious authorities found offensive. And they asked Jesus to tell them to shut up and he said I can't make them shut up, even if I did the rocks and stones themselves would shout. ASHLEY HALL: What he's upset about is the government's decision to extend powers to police to arrest anyone who causes "annoyance or inconvenience to pilgrims", and fine them up to $5,500. JOHN SWEENEY: The right to free speech is a fundamental and very, very important right and there are limits to it, and I think there are decent laws on statute books to protect people against racial and cultural vilification. I can't see why those laws won't be sufficient in this or just about any other situation I could imagine. ASHLEY HALL: To what extent do you think it's likely that some people will come out to protest now through this World Youth Day period simply because of these new rules? JOHN SWEENEY: I think it's highly likely. Australian's generally do value their right to say what they think and to say it publicly. And so, when there is some perception that, that right has been, is being cut away or reduced. I think people are rightfully annoyed about that and worried, and concerned about it. ASHLEY HALL: Concerned enough to protest? JOHN SWEENEY: I would think so. At least I would hope so. ASHLEY HALL: And he's not the only Catholic to feel that way. Margaret Hinchey is the convenor of the group, Catholics in Coalition for Justice and Peace in Sydney. MARGARET HINCHEY: It seems to me a bit of an over-reaction, an unnecessary curtailing of peoples' right to protest or to show that they don't approve of this particular event. ASHLEY HALL: So it besmirches the image of World Youth Day, does it? MARGARET HINCHEY: Well I don't think it helps it in the broader community, and I know there are a lot of people including Catholics who are a little bit concerned anyway about the disruption to the everyday life of other people. And particularly, I think when this is supposedly a religious event, specifically for Catholics although others of course are very welcome, but I don't understand why people who don't share our faith, or share any faith should be somehow disrupted in the ordinary everyday working lives or in the amount of money that's being used of their own taxes for this kind of thing. ASHLEY HALL: Natasha Case is the acting principal solicitor at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in Sydney. NATASHA CASE: When these powers are introduced I think it's quite inflammatory, and I think you're right people do get angry, and I think that the comments that have been made publicly today show that people are being tempted to risk the $5,500 fine for doing something that's annoying or irritating, but I think only time will tell whether people actually do try and flood the courts with prosecutions. ASHLEY HALL: The state government's spokeswoman for World Youth Day, Kristina Kenneally can't understand what all the fuss is about. KRISTINA KENNEALLY: The powers that police have at World Youth Day venues is no different to the powers they have at any other large event. ASHLEY HALL: A lot of people are having trouble at defining what the annoyance provision will be. Can you explain how one determines to be annoying? KRISTINA KENNEALLY: Well point out the annoyance and inconvenience clause is something that's in 15 of our Acts and Regulations already… ASHLEY HALL: Yeah, you mentioned that before but I'm just wondering what it actually means? KRISTINA KENNEALLY: Well the reason I remake that point about it being in 15 of our Acts and Regulations in New South Wales is that there has been no public outcry about it to date. There is no evidence that police actually abused that power. In the case of World Youth Day the police have made it very clear that protests of course will be able to go ahead. The police are actually there just to facilitate legitimate protest. But people will not be able to disrupt the event. ASHLEY HALL: But the Minister's assurances haven't been enough for many of those who want to protest - they say they still can't be sure whether slogans or placards about paedophile priests, for example, will be treated as annoying, with the possibility of a $5,500 fine. MARK COLVIN: Ashley Hall.
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