Commenting on the story: Rushed SA protest penalites ‘an assault on our democracy’

I applaud the Government and Opposition in bringing in this legislation. It’s about time people who deliberately obstruct and damage other people’s property to get their point of view across are held to account.

In our society you are allowed to speak freely and have a point of view. That doesn’t entitle you to interfere with other innocent bystanders or damage property.

By the logic of those speaking out and involved, I would be entitled to damage their houses, car or any property if I believed they disagreed with some point of view that I held contrary to theirs, or prevent them and their family, neighbours, friends going about their peaceful existence because it suited me.

There are plenty of avenues available to everyone to express their opinions and views without this rude and petulant behaviour. You can vote, write, speak to your representatives, go on radio, take out advertisements, use social media etc. as well as protest without causing damage or disruption to innocent bystanders. People will still see your message and agree or otherwise with it.

Like most people, we all know global warming exists and being a closed system we impact on the speed or otherwise in which it occurs. Pretty much everyone is trying to do something about it, including the Santos’ of this world. Shouting and requesting impossible outcomes won’t magically solve your problem, but science and hard work might. It might also be worthwhile if they protested in China, India or perhaps Russia where they could have the most impact, that would show them. – Michael Critchley

Wouldn’t it be good if South Australians had a large scale protest march to challenge the new laws. – Chris Edwards

Premier Malinauskas agreeing with the ideologically-driven lightweight currently serving as Leader of the Opposition should give anybody pause for thought.

Effective protest is always going to inconvenience somebody; that’s what makes it effective. The Premier is effectively outlawing effective protest by this move, but does nothing in the face of the global catastrophe these protests are drawing attention to. Talk about priorities.

As for the Police Commissioner’s irresponsible comments, they should be grounds for dismissal. The police are there to protect all and keep the peace, not take sides in ideological conflicts. – Allan Robins

If people want to protest then go to a park. Don’t disrupt traffic, don’t hold up emergency vehicles, don’t stop people from going to work! Behave reasonably. – Kerry Smith

Draconian law change, without time to consult and see what is exact wording of the proposed legislation.

I heard the two leaders talk about “breaking the law” yet haven’t heard which law has been broken? And if it’s the same for  any protest, like that against war in Ukraine or any that Malinauskas admitted to taking part is, doesn’t that mean that the often quoted ‘democratic right to protest’ is under threat?

Has it come down to this, that laws are being shaped for political expedience, not for the good of society, or in this case for our environment? My vote will go to neither of these parties nor to anyone that supports the proposed legislation. In great disappointment, and despair. – Maurene McEwen

The general public has had enough of this Extinction Rebellion cult and their radical views.

If an ordinary citizen repeatedly spray painted buildings, the police, glued themselves to roads and footpaths and stood in the middle of the road blocking traffic, they would be shown little leniency.

My wife nearly missed a chemo infusion at RAH on a previous demonstration because of those fanatics. – Tim Ferrier

This sort of knee-jerk reaction is inappropriate from a South Australian Labor government. Many of us will be bitterly disappointed if we find we have elected a government that is afraid of older ladies who have the courage to take a stand on an issue as serious as climate change.

We’re heading for a 1.5 degree temperature increase and the government is afraid for law and order. Seriously? – Kerry Hailstone

It’s alarming that instead of responding to citizens exercising their democratic right to process by inquiring about the level of support for them in wider society, the government is moving to limit rights to protest- and all to protect fossil fuel companies. There is so much wrong with this.

Extinction Rebellion are doing necessary work in calling out the government’s hypocrisy. If the government could actually do their job and act for climate and for citizens, that would be more useful than trying to shut down protests. We can’t afford to keep drifting right like this. – Stef Rozitis

Dissent is the life blood of progressive democracy and ought not be at risk of being cauterised by momentary political convenience and power displacing public discussion and debate.

It ought not be left to SA Unions and others to have to reason the ills and reverbrations of needless legislative haste and grossly punitive protest penalties in a State with a history of progressive dissent. – Elbert Brooks 

Commenting on the opinion piece: Spin and politics are cold comfort when running on empty

Brilliantly written piece, Matthew. You sum up the working person’s view on our economy and future insightfully. – Vicki Matchett