Controversial police powers restricting public assemblies in Sydney have been extended for another fortnight, but authorities have narrowed their scope to allow a major Australia Day protest to go ahead.
Revised Controls for CBD and Eastern Suburbs
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced revised controls for Sydney's central business district and eastern suburbs. The updated declaration, which was due to expire on Tuesday afternoon, will now remain in effect for a further two weeks.
Significantly, the police have created an exclusion zone for Hyde Park, where a planned Invasion Day rally on January 26 will be permitted to proceed. Commissioner Lanyon stated the protest organised by the First Nations community will be managed along College Street and out of southern Sydney.
"It's about getting the balance right between community safety and a right to protest," Commissioner Lanyon said. "I'm satisfied that that reduces the risk to the community."
Powers Stem from Bondi Attack Response
The emergency laws granting these powers were rushed through parliament following the deadly Bondi terrorist attack on December 14. The legislation provides the Police Commissioner with the ability to restrict public gatherings in designated areas across Sydney.
Commissioner Lanyon first invoked these powers on Christmas Eve, before extending them initially until January 20. The declaration does not outright ban protests but means they are not officially authorised. This leaves participants vulnerable to move-on orders for obstructing traffic or pedestrians.
Since the powers were enacted, police have monitored more than two dozen static protests. Just last Sunday, approximately 200 people were asked to disperse after gathering at Hyde Park for a rally concerning First Nations deaths in custody.
Focus on Managed Demonstrations
The decision to extend the powers while carving out an exception for the Australia Day rally indicates a shift towards managing specific events rather than imposing blanket restrictions. The approach suggests police are preparing for a significant turnout for the Invasion Day demonstration, a focal point for protests against the celebration of January 26.
The ongoing use of these special powers highlights the continued tension in Sydney between maintaining public order and upholding the right to peaceful assembly, a debate intensified by recent security concerns and longstanding social justice issues.
