WA anti-protest laws spark protest

Hundreds of protesters including the Maritime Union of Australia, dingo conservationists and other activist groups have rallied outside the WA parliament about anti-protest laws.

The bill, which would allow for the arrest of protesters who lock themselves to objects such as trees or machinery, passed through the upper house without amendment last week.

It is set to get the nod in the lower house as the Liberal state government has the numbers.

Greens MP Lynn MacLaren says the protesters are going to get louder as next year's state election nears.

She got cheers of "Yes!" from the crowd when she asked if those who had protested against Woodside's Browse gas project and old growth logging had done the right thing.

"So when the Barnett government comes to us in the upper house and puts a piece of paper on the table that says 'we're going to take away your ability to protest without the threat of a two-year jail time', are we going to stand up?"

Attorney General Michael Mischin denied the Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful Activity Bill) was an anti-protest law, saying there were narrow circumstances under which it would be applied.

It targeted extreme behaviour, he said, adding the debate had been "hijacked by labels and mantras".

"Someone locking themselves as an immovable obstacle, locking themselves onto a vehicle to prevent it from being driven, is interference with the owner's lawful activity," Mr Mischin told ABC Radio.

Forestry Minister Mia Davies told reporters she had no problem with people peacefully protesting but the laws were needed for safety reasons.

"I have protesters that chain themselves to trees, to machinery in the forests, and they're putting themselves and also the workers in danger," she said.

The legislation, which was introduced in February last year, has drawn criticism from human rights lawyers and UN rapporteurs.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has promised to repeal the legislation if Labor wins the 2017 state poll.