Bullying, anti-protest top Tas govt agenda

Tasmanian parliament resumes in earnest on Wednesday, with the Liberal government expected to table anti-bullying and anti-protest bills this week.

Harsher penalties for bullying and tough anti-protest legislation top the Tasmanian government's agenda when parliament resumes in earnest on Wednesday.

The Liberals will try to revive anti-protest laws that were in 2017 found unconstitutional by a high-court challenge by former Greens leader Bob Brown.

The government drafted new legislation they believe addresses the high court concerns and are expected to table it in parliament this week.

The Labor opposition intend to consult on the proposal, which reframes the purpose of the laws as protection for businesses, while the Greens oppose it.

The original laws, enacted in 2014, included penalties jail for illegal protesting.

Legislation to make types of online bullying a criminal offence will also be put before the lower house this week.

Premier Will Hodgman will likely field questions over whether he has control of his party after the resignation of two backbenchers over the summer break.

Former police minister Rene Hidding stepped down in February after historical sexual abuse allegations were raised in the media, claims he strongly denies.

Adam Brooks quit earlier that month, citing health and family reason.

A two-year investigation in late 2017 cleared Mr Brooks of a conflict of interest over use of an email account linked to his mining business while mining minister.

But the Integrity Commission found he misled the premier and deleted emails partly because he thought they could be damaging.

Liberals Joan Rylah and John Tucker, were sworn in as the departed duo's replacements on Tuesday.

In his first speech to parliament for the year, Mr Hodgman said he was focused on keeping the Tasmanian economy strong, growing tourism and improving health and education services.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Bullying, anti-protest top Tas govt agenda | SBS News