NSW's anti-protest laws are under review

Make a submission to protect the right to protest


Anti-protest laws are having a freezing effect on democracy in NSW. These laws are currently under review. By making a submission that calls for a repeal of the 2022 anti-protest laws and the introduction of legislative protection for the right to protest, you can help demonstrate that our right to protest matters to us. Submissions close June 1.

About the laws

Protest is an essential part of our democracy. New South Wales has a long and proud history of protest, including the first Aboriginal Day of Mourning in Gadigal/Sydney in 1938, the Freedom Rides in 1965, and the enduring legacy of the first Mardi Gras in 1978. These movements have made our community more fair and won change that would not have been possible without protest.

However, two years ago the NSW government cracked down on protest by introducing new laws (the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2022) that punished a wide range of protest activities with up to 2 years in jail and a $22,000 fine. The laws were rushed through in 48 hours and with no community consultation.

These anti-protest laws capture everything from marches down City Rd in Newtown to protests near Town Hall Station. They give police incentive to intimidate protestors and expand the network of surveillance and control imposed on protest groups.

The anti-protest laws are having a freezing effect on democracy in NSW.

About NSW's 2022 laws

About the review

The NSW government is required to review the operation of the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (the anti-protest laws) two years after its introduction – that review is currently underway.

This review is a bit complicated – it’s split into two parts and is being done by two separate departments. Each department will consider whether the policy objectives stated at the time the legislation was introduced remain valid, and if the laws are appropriately adapted to achieve those objectives.

The form on this page will submit your views to both departments simultaneously. They are:

  • Review of s144G of the Roads Act - the law applying to major roads, tunnels and bridges

  • Review of s214A of the Crimes Act - the law applying to major facilities like train stations and ports


Organisations and advocates pushed for the review to consider public submissions as part of this review – which is why it’s so crucial the community use this moment to share their views. Submissions are due on 1 June 2024.

Making a submission

Making a submission is a powerful way to show that the right to protest matters to the NSW community.

When this legislation was passed, the government’s stated aim was to “strike a proper balance between the right to protest and the right of members of the public to move freely and not be obstructed in public places”. The review asks submissions to consider this aim and if it is being met.

Unfortunately, the laws in their current state are not fit for purpose because they restrict the right to protest too much. They do this by imposing disproportionate penalties on the freedom of assembly and freedom of political communication – such as fines of up to $22,000 or 2 years imprisonment for engaging in street protests that are nor previously authorised by police. The laws effectively deny the community the right to engage in protest without risking significant sanctions.

You can use the form below to submit to both enquiries simultaneously. Please make a personalised submission – we have pre-filled some of the basic requirements but for a more impactful submissions that will receive full consideration by the review each needs to be individual. You can also find some tips about what to include in the following section.

If you’re feeling like you’re not an expert or daunted because you’ve never written a submission before, remember that this is an opportunity to engage in our democracy – everyone has a right to have their say. You can make a submission that just states what you believe should happen, but it’s more powerful if you speak about why. This can just be your personal opinion or can refer back to expert research and positions, but it does not need to be long or complex to be valid.

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The date for this action has passed.

Thank you to the 330 people who made a submission to the NSW protest laws review! Together, we've sent a clear message to the NSW Government that we won't stand for laws that diminish the right to protest.

More information + resources

If you speak authentically to the points raised in the previous section, that is definitely enough for a powerful submission! But if you’re the kind of person who likes to get into the details, or who is more deeply involved in protest organising, the following information and resources could help with drafting your submission.

Further reading