Scott Ludlam has strict bail conditions dismissed after Extinction Rebellion arrest

A magistrate has torn up bail conditions imposed on ex-Greens senator Scott Ludlam that had banned him from being involved in Extinction Rebellion protests.

Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam has had bail conditions – that banned him from associating with Extinction Rebellion climate change protests – dismissed. Source: AAP

A court has rejected strict police bail conditions imposed on a former Greens senator arrested during a climate change protest in Sydney.

Scott Ludlam had been ordered not to go within 2.5 kilometres of Sydney Town Hall or attend further Extinction Rebellion protests after police raised concerns he would "endanger the safety of victims, individuals and the community".

An activist from Extinction Rebellion dangles from the Story Bridge in a hammock as part of protests in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Source: AAP

But deputy chief magistrate Jane Mottley on Thursday threw out the restrictions saying the concerns "can be appropriately addressed by unconditional bail".

Unconditional bail only requires an accused person to be of good behaviour.

Greg James QC, representing Mr Ludlam, told Downing Centre Local Court the conditions put forward by police were an attempt "to stifle legitimate political protest".

Police arrest an activist during Extinction Rebellion demonstrations on Whitehall in London, England. Source: Getty Images Europe

Outside court, NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said the bail conditions had been "unlawful" and called on police to drop similar conditions on some 30 other protesters charged over Monday's protests.

"Do we really need to come back to court another 30 times?" he told reporters.